Help Hope Live in the News5.31.24

Apache Junction father, son seeking donations for a 2-wheelchair van

Angie Hicks and her husband Michael Hicks are seated at the bedside of their son Donivan Hicks. Donivan is lying down with a breathing tube connected to his neck. He has light brown skin, brown eyes, and short black hair. Angie has light skin, glasses, and short gray hair. Michael has brown skin, short dark hair, a faint black and gray mustache, and a bright lavender formal shirt and tie.

“We are a family that rarely asks for help, but our backs are against the wall…”

Michael and Donivan Hicks, father and son, face unique medical challenges that have led to the need for an accessible van that can accommodate both their wheelchairs.

Married for 43 years, Michael and his wife, Angie, care for Donivan, who is 41 years old and relies on a trach and feeding tube.

“He is non-verbal and unable to do anything on his own, but he is still one of the happiest people I know.”

Life got more complicated when Michael was unexpectedly diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at age 26.

Angie Hicks sits on the lap of her husband Michael Hicks, who is seated in a black power chair. Michael has brown skin and short gray and black hair. Angie has light skin and short gray hair. They are gazing at each other with big smiles.

As the caregiver for both her husband and her son, Angie worries about the risks she takes on when transferring Donivan and Michael into a non-accessible vehicle.

“The possibility of me injuring myself or them is a real fear. Who will care for them if that happens?”

That’s why they turned to Help Hope Live to fundraise for an accessible van that can fit both wheelchairs – a cost insurance doesn’t cover that can exceed $64,000 out-of-pocket.

Their community raised $2,500 in the first month of fundraising and is now close to $4,000 raised towards their fundraising goal.