Elizabeth Joy Peterson

Elizabeth Joy Peterson is an extraordinary 9-year-old girl with an unyielding spirit, a joy-filled heart, and a story that is nothing short of awe-inspiring. However, like many children with complex medical needs, Elizabeth’s road to independence is paved with challenges, and right now, we’re asking for your help to overcome one of the biggest hurdles yet. Elizabeth’s new Ford Transit 350 accessible van was totaled in a collision. As a family we spent about 10 months searching for this van, figuring out how to finance it, and then getting it modified with the help of her waiver (a once per 10 year event).

On November 10, we were about 15 minutes from home, headed to CHOP for Elizabeth’s neurology appointment when a driver ran through a stop sign and hit us. According to her insurance adjuster, she is “underinsured” for the size of this collision. On November 21, 2025 we learned the van would be totaled and the insurance ACV doesn’t even match what is owed on the van. In addition, insurance is refusing to cover Elizabeth’s modifications to the van which allow her to load her power wheelchair into the vehicle so she has access to the community and her medical care like any other person would.

We are wavering between shock and anger at this situation and how someone can run a stop sign, cause an accident, get a ticket, and still the injured party is left in a horrible predicament.

We were denied a rental vehicle, we were denied help getting Elizabeth’s power wheelchair out of the van after it was towed and it took us 24 hours and renting an accessible vehicle OOP to go get the chair. At $157/day, we simply cannot sustain that vehicle rental. There is an absolute lack of empathy and urgency from the at fault drivers insurance. They seem to not even care the predicament this has left a disabled and medically complex child in.

To complicate matters more- we are under contract on a single level home which will ensure Elizabeth has an accessible home. This should be an exciting time, but it’s become very stressful and due to being under contract we cannot start to look for financing and shopping for a replacement accessible van under after we close on the new house.

As of today, we will not have any cash flow to start the process of acquiring the vehicle (either modified or to have modified) nor do we have access to help through the waiver since we already utilized Elizabeth’s 10 year vehicle modification allotment. We will be lucky to be able to pay off the existing car note.

Every dollar helps. Every prayer helps. Every share helps.

Through this campaign- all funds will be used to meet Elizabeth’s needs. Today the pressing need is her accessible vehicle.

The Cost: A Barrier We Can’t Overcome Alone- The cost for an accessible Ford Transit 350 with the modifications needed to make it wheelchair-friendly, the total price could soar to well over $100,000. While this is an astronomical amount, we believe it’s worth every penny to provide Elizabeth with the mobility she desperately needs. But, like so many families in similar situations, financing such a high cost isn’t feasible for us alone. That’s where you come in. Your donation, whether large or small, will help us cover the costs of these essential modifications, allowing Elizabeth’s family to secure a van they can affordably finance. The good news is that donations made through Help Hope Live are tax-deductible and will go directly to the provider, ensuring your gift is used exclusively for Elizabeth’s medical and mobility needs.

Why It Matters: A Glimpse into Elizabeth’s Life: Elizabeth Joy, or “Eliza,” was born at just 26 weeks, weighing only 1 lb. 13 oz. She fought through bacterial meningitis, multiple surgeries, and countless health complications — always with a smile on her face and a spirit that refuses to give up. Over the years, she has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy, FPIES, developmental delays, and mitochondrial cytopathy, conditions that impact her every day. While Eliza can walk, she tires quickly and is prone to falls, and her energy reserves often deplete faster than most. Her body struggles with feeding, digestion, and the severe fatigue that comes with her rare condition. But even through these challenges, Elizabeth Joy remains a loving, joyful, and creative child who loves to sing and has an artist’s heart. The need for an accessible van is just one part of the story. It is the difference between being stuck at home and living a life full of experiences, opportunities, and connections. It’s the key to keeping her appointments, enjoying the company of friends, and even just feeling like a typical child who can go to the store, the park, and be part of the world around her. 

The Urgency: Time Is Critical We’ve already been stuck in a difficult position with the current family van — Eliza’s needs are urgent. Without an accessible vehicle, we risk her missing vital appointments, being isolated at home, and losing the very independence she is so desperately working to maintain. Your donation will allow us to move forward with this critical purchase. We will be holding local fundraisers in the coming months, but time is not on our side. The sooner we can raise the necessary funds, the sooner we can get Elizabeth the mobility she needs.

How You Can Help: Every Dollar Counts- There are many ways you can support Elizabeth on her journey:

Donate: Every contribution makes a difference. Your tax-deductible donation will go directly to Help Hope Live for Elizabeth’s medical needs.  

Share: Please share Elizabeth’s campaign with your family and friends. Spreading the word is just as important as making a donation.

Match: Check with your employer to see if they offer a donation match. Many companies will match your gift, doubling its impact.

Pray: Above all, please pray for Elizabeth’s health and for her family as they navigate this complex journey.A Life Filled with Love and Possibility. Those who know Elizabeth know that she is a beacon of light in the world. Despite her medical complexity, she remains joyful, creative, and loving. She is our “Joy” embodied, and she brings that same joy to everyone she meets. Together, we can ensure that her path ahead remains filled with love, opportunity, and hope.We are deeply grateful for your support — every prayer, every dollar, and every shared post brings us one step closer to the mobility and independence Elizabeth deserves. 

Please join us in helping to make Elizabeth Joy’s life a little easier, a lot more mobile, and infinitely brighter.

Elizabeth Joy, this is YOUR story. And we are so thankful for your part in it.