Our journey with Ellie began with a miracle. After experiencing a devastating loss, we weren’t sure our family would ever be complete. Then came Ellie. She was our “rainbow baby,” born at 26 weeks—an arrival that was perfectly timed to avoid a medical catastrophe, but one that meant a very early start in the NICU.
While her NICU stay was relatively uneventful for a micro-preemie, those early weeks came with lifelong complications. Today, Ellie lives with Cerebral Palsy and three rare genetic disorders. This combination has led us down a long road of surgeries, hospital stays, and the daily rollercoaster of medical complexity.
The Challenge of Every Day
Ellie is a primary wheelchair user, and she is also autistic. As she grows, the physical challenge of transferring her into a standard car seat has become overwhelming. Between her behavioral challenges, physical limitations, and the mountain of medical equipment she requires for every trip, a standard vehicle is no longer a safe or viable option.
For a long time, we knew a wheelchair-accessible van was a necessity, but the financial hurdles of managing Ellie’s specialized care made that goal feel out of reach. We worked hard to keep our heads above water, but life recently took an unexpected turn.
A Crossroads for Our Family
Recently, Ellie’s dad, Josh, and our three oldest children were involved in a car accident during the school drop-off line. While we are incredibly grateful that everyone is okay, the financial aftermath—from deductibles to the strain of maintaining two car payments alongside medical bills—became an impossible burden.
We have been incredibly fortunate to borrow a friend’s car to get by, but that time has run out. We are now facing the reality of being a family of six with only one vehicle—one that cannot safely fit our entire family along with Ellie’s wheelchair and medical gear.
Why We Need Your Help
Since we must secure a new vehicle, it is time to get the right vehicle for Ellie. A wheelchair-accessible van would mean Ellie can get to her specialists, therapy, and school safely and comfortably, without the physical strain of difficult transfers.
Because the cost of these specialized vehicles is so high, we are partnering with Help Hope Live, a national nonprofit that specializes in medical fundraising.
Your support will go directly toward:
• The purchase of a reliable, wheelchair-accessible van.
• Ensuring our entire family can travel together safely.
• Bridging the gap that insurance and traditional financing cannot cover.
Every donation is tax-deductible and managed by Help Hope Live to ensure it is used specifically for Ellie’s mobility needs. Thank you for being part of Ellie’s village and helping us restore our family’s independence.
