Ellie Cooper

Our Miracle Girl

Ellie has been defying the odds since before she was born.

After experiencing a heartbreaking loss, we weren’t sure our family would ever be complete. Then came our miracle, our rainbow baby. Ellie was born at just 26 weeks gestation, weighing barely two pounds. While her arrival was perfectly timed to avoid a medical emergency for us both, it also marked the beginning of a long journey through the NICU and a lifetime of complex medical care.

As Ellie has grown, so has the list of challenges she faces. She has Cerebral Palsy, autism, epilepsy, chronic lung disease, dysautonomia, and multiple rare genetic disorders, including Kleefstra Syndrome 2. She relies on a feeding tube for all of her nutrition, hydration, and medication. She requires extensive respiratory treatments throughout the day and oxygen while sleeping. She has countless medical appointments and spends far more time in hospitals than any child should.

But Ellie is so much more than her diagnoses. She has the brightest smile, the sweetest laugh, and a determination that amazes everyone who meets her. She loves music, cuddles, playing, and being surrounded by the people she loves. Every milestone she reaches has been hard-earned, and she continues to prove every day that joy can exist alongside incredible challenges.

Why a Wheelchair-Accessible Van Is Essential

Ellie is a full-time wheelchair user, and safely transporting her has become one of the biggest challenges our family faces.

Every trip outside our home involves her wheelchair, feeding pump, emergency supplies, medications, oxygen, and other medical equipment. Transferring her in and out of a traditional vehicle is becoming increasingly difficult and unsafe as she grows. Many rides require us to pull over unexpectedly because we can’t fit a nurse next to her in our current vehicle to provide medical care on the road.

A wheelchair-accessible van would allow Ellie to remain safely secured in her wheelchair while traveling. It would also provide enough room for her nurse to sit beside her to monitor her condition, manage her medical equipment, and respond immediately if something changes during the drive.

This isn’t simply about convenience… it’s about safety, preserving Ellie’s health, and ensuring she can continue accessing the medical care she depends on.

Why We’re Asking for Help

Like so many families caring for a medically complex child, much of our life revolves around doctors’ appointments, therapies, hospital admissions, and unexpected emergencies. These demands make maintaining financial stability incredibly difficult, while the cost of specialized equipment continues to grow.

Unfortunately, insurance does not cover wheelchair-accessible vehicles, even when they are medically necessary.

That is why we have partnered with Help Hope Live, a national nonprofit that helps families raise funds for critical medical expenses.

Your tax-deductible donation will help provide:

• A safe, reliable wheelchair-accessible van designed for Ellie’s medical needs.

• The ability for Ellie to travel without potentially unsafe and uncomfortable transfers.

• Space for her wheelchair, medical equipment, and nurse so she can receive care even while on the road.

• Greater independence and peace of mind for our entire family.

Looking for More Than Donations

Financial donations are incredibly important, but they aren’t the only way to help.

If you know of a vehicle that may fit our family’s needs, or have connections within the mobility or automotive industry, we would be incredibly grateful to hear from you.

Ideal unmodified van:

• 2024 or newer Ford Transit 350 XLT

• 12- or 15-passenger model

• Mid-Roof

• Under 50,000 miles

Ideal already-modified van:

• 2024 or newer Ford Transit 350 XLT Extended Length

• Side-entry Shift-N-Step lift

• Wheelchair tie-downs that allows Ellie to remain safely secured during travel

• At least five additional rear seats beyond the wheelchair position, including one seat (can be foldaway) directly beside Ellie’s wheelchair to accommodate her nurse during transport

• Configuration with adequate rear cargo space for her medical equipment and emergency necessities, as well as her older brother‘s folded mobility device

We also welcome information about grants, vehicle donation programs, or other resources that could help make safe, accessible transportation possible for Ellie.

Every donation, every share, and every connection brings Ellie one step closer to safe, accessible transportation.

Thank you for being part of Ellie’s village. Your kindness, generosity, and support mean more to our family than words can express. ❤️