Help Angie Regain Her Independence!!

Hello, my name is Angie Bruton. I’m 57 years old, single, and I live in an income-based apartment in Nashville, TN. I use a power chair for my mobility, due to nerve damage and a spinal cord injury to C-2 and C-3 from a large lipoma tumor, when I was a teenager. I had minimal complications from this until my early 40’s. I have since been diagnosed with a spinal cord injury, migraines, reoccurring UTI’s, IBS, a neurogenic bladder, muscle spasms, chronic neuropathic pain, hypothyroidism, osteoarthritis,
neurogenic bowel, muscle weakness after a serious case of sepsis, unstable gait/high fall risk, cervical myelopathy, quadriplegia, autonomic dysreflexia, lymphedema, and I experienced a pulmonary embolism in my right lung. Even with these issues, I enjoy living life to the fullest and I want to be as independent as possible.
I moved to Nashville in December of 2004 and worked for the State from 2005-2013. I had to retire through disability in November of 2013. It broke my heart, but my body could no longer handle working full-time. I worked part-time at Bridgestone Arena for a few years, but then Covid shut everything down. I would love to work part-time there again someday!
In 2015, I purchased a 2005 Toyota Sienna handicapped accessible van. I constantly had trouble with the conversion system that operated the automated door and folding ramp but managed to keep it operating until October of 2021. The dealership told me that the van’s automated system was no longer viable due to rust and that the parts were getting harder to find and the system was so old, the cable that operated the door would always get caught and break within weeks. From October 2021 until this past April 2023, I could use my van, but only if I had someone who could manually operate the door and ramp for me when I left my apartment and at my destination. That severely limited my ability to go anywhere. During April, the chain on the left side of the ramp, plus a piece of metal, came off the ramp. The ramp is now bowing when there’s any weight on it, and it’s extremely hard to get back in the folded position. It is no longer safe to use, even manually. Because I’m living on my Social Security (which I had to start drawing at age 46) and a small pension from the State, I can’t afford a monthly payment to
replace this van. Now I’ve become homebound, and I’ve totally lost my independence. That’s very hard to accept at 57 years old. I miss going to church every week, being able to drive myself to my doctor’s appointments, doing my own shopping, getting my prescriptions, and being able to visit with friends.
I’ve been searching online for financial assistance through grants from companies and agencies, with very little success. I’ve also been putting the word out locally to see if there are charities or individuals who could assist. Possibly even a dealership or corporation that would donate a van that could be converted. Thankfully, I’ve found the non-profit organization, Help Hope Live. They are assisting me in fundraising for a handicapped accessible van. I’m a very sociable person and would be so incredibly grateful to have a van and be independent and productive again. I have so much more life to live.
Thank you so much reading my story. I appreciate your prayers and any financial assistance you may be able to give!