Joseph "J." Shaver: Help us build a track system for J.!
Please help us build a track system for J. that will give him multi-modal access to his whole home as he grows!
About J.
Updates (3)
March 1, 2026
The last eight weeks have been as busy as ever, and full of excitement and anticipation. We are getting close to moving into our home in Berea! Our final walkthrough of our renovation project is next week, and we expect to be moving in by early March!We are also getting close to another huge finish line — for our track system fundraiser! By the numbers, over the last six months, we’ve received gifts:- From more than 200 individuals and families- Ranging in size from $10 to $10,000- Totaling $76,634 — or 85% of our goal!We’ve got just a little over $13,000 to go to reach our goal! Honestly, we are floored that we’ve been able to come so far so quickly. And that is thanks to YOU.I want to take a minute and give a special shout-out to the many friends and family who have given their time and hard work to make this dream a reality. Dozens of friends have helped us all throughout this process: from working the estate sale we put on with the things the previous owners’ family left in the home (another story for another time!); to stripping grimy wallpaper, tearing out smelly carpet and all kinds of other interior demolition; to stockpiling shipping boxes and moving materials; to entertaining J. and Joan so Alex and I can pack. Thank you, thank you, thank you.Where we’re atJ.’s bedroom and bathroom are now complete, with the traverse bar that spans between the fixed recessed rails and the lift motor and harnesses that will support J. We are SO excited! Make sure you check out the pictures in the album on our campaign page. It looks amazing!The model of lift motor we’re using is the Guldmann GH3+. This model can provide dynamic weight support: so when J. is jumping, climbing, stooping, or squatting, he’ll get the same amount of support. This is SUPER cool and very different from a static elevation, which provides less support or tension if you go up past a certain point, and prevents you from going down (like a locked seatbelt).What’s nextWe’re planning three events for 2026. We’d love to see you at one (or all!) of them!-Two fundraising events (one in Cleveland and one in Chicago) to get across the finish line of our goal.*-Open house this summer! Folks can come see the ranch, J.’s track system, and meet some of the good folks who have helped us along the way.The final phase of work will be to install the linear track down the hallway to connect the three gantry areas, and install traverse bars in the living room and kitchen/dining room. We can’t wait to get J. into his new system and to see the impact it makes on his life!* If we surpass our goal, additional funds could go towards an additional traverse bar and lift motor so multiple people can use the system at once, or set aside for routine maintenance of the system.
December 31, 2025
Merry Christmas and happy new year! The first phase of work on the track system is complete! This includes blocking and reinforcements in the ceiling joists to support the weight of the system, recessed rails for the gantry areas, pins to support the hallway track, and electrical work to power the lift motor and wall switches for the connections between linear track and gantry areas. You can check out the pictures in the “Track System Progress” album.As of today, December 31, 2025, we’ve raised $58,004. That’s 64% of our $90,000 goal!* THANK YOU SO MUCH to everyone who has contributed to our campaign in any way: through a financial donation, sharing with others in your community, and other support. It means so much.We now have enough to complete our next step: finishing J.’s room. That means purchasing the lift motor, harness, and a transverse rail (rail that the lift motor attaches to and spans between the fixed rails). That will mean we have a safe way to do all his transfers into and out of his wheelchair, tub, and other equipment, and he’ll have independent mobility in his own space. After that: on to the living room.In case you missed it, we started an Instagram account called @mobilityranch, where we tell stories about our accessible home and our adventures in multi-modal mobility. We also plan to share resources and other things we learn and find helpful in our life as a disability family. (We’re trying to limit J.’s exposure on social media, so as much as possible on that account we refer to him as “K.B.” — that’s short for “Kiddo Biddo,” one of J.’s approximately 10,000 nicknames.) Please check it out!In 2026, we’re planning on hosting two fundraising events: one in the Cleveland area, and one in Chicago. Please stay tuned for those dates and consider joining us at one or both! We also have the opportunity to sell t-shirts and other swag through Help Hope Live. So keep an eye out for some limited edition J. artwork and other goodies later in the year.Wishing you a 2026 that’s filled to the brim with health, happiness, and the people and things that you love.*For anyone doing the math at home: we did an initial fundraising phase before joining Help Hope Live that raised $21,900. We have received a few other private donations for a total of $22,700 raised outside of Help Hope Live. We have raised $35,234 on Help Hope Live for a grand total of $58,004. Woohoo!!
Photo Galleries (3)
Guestbook
February 24, 2026
Go J!
Sheena Kolbrich
February 18, 2026
We love you guys! Wishing you all the best in your new home.
Love, Kathy and Bob Martin
Kathleen Martin
January 30, 2026
Welcome to the neighborhood!
We hope this donation helps to reach your goal.
Cheri Justice & Brian Henthorn
cheryl justice
