Freedom Van for Erica

Hi! I'm Lenny & I’m here to ask for help in raising funds for a wheelchair-accessible vehicle for my daughter Erica.

Many of her friends & family know the incredibly difficult struggles she has faced over the last five years - but for those who don’t - here’s how she came to be in a wheelchair.

In 2018, at the age of 32, Erica was diagnosed with small cell carcinoma of the cervix, a rare form of cancer.  With the help of modern medicine, she made it through that battle with her life.  What the medical professionals didn’t understand at the time was that Erica is highly sensitive to radiation.  The lifesaving treatments she received caused grade-four radiation toxicity that damaged her lower spine and some surrounding organs.  This caused her to lose the use of her legs, as well as so much of her independence.

If you know Erica, you know how resilient she has been through all of the challenges life has thrown at her.  I’m proud and amazed to see what a positive, driven, and independent woman she has remained through all the hardships.  It breaks my heart that she has to fight for the same accessibility that most of us take for granted, but I’m impressed by her determination to constantly find ways to adapt.

This is why I’m asking for donations to help purchase a full-size van that can be modified to Erica’s needs and help her live a more independent life.  Please consider helping us reach our goal!  Big or small, all donations are appreciated.  If you are unable to help monetarily, please help by sharing Erica’s story and keeping her in your prayers.

Please read on if you would like to learn more about her transportation struggles, vehicle specifics, or other funding sources.

There are some resources to help fund vehicle modifications but none to purchase the vehicle itself.  Since 2020, Erica has been working with the Department of Vocational Rehab, the Center for Independent Living, and a Wisconsin waivers program to create a modification plan.  She has put a great amount of thought and research into what specific vehicle and modifications would best help her achieve the most independence.  She has completed all the necessary steps and obtained multiple quotes from mobility dealers to get assistance with van modification.  The modifications will cost roughly $22,000.  She will be able to submit a request for these funds once she has purchased the van, but not before.

Erica has also done a great amount of research on grant funding.  There is quite a bit of help for people with Spinal Cord Injuries (SCI) to buy a vehicle, but because Erica doesn’t have a true SCI - even though her symptoms present the same way - she doesn’t qualify for most of those programs.  The two grant programs she does meet the application requirements for both require that she has the majority of funds already saved up.  Erica plans to apply for both grants when a conservative goal of $40,000 is reached.  There are no guarantees that either grant will be awarded.

In order to determine which vehicle would be best for Erica’s needs she completed a driver assessment course, contacted many different mobility dealers, did a lot of online research, and tested different vans at local mobility dealerships. . . Erica has concluded that this vehicle and specific setup will best meet her accessibility needs: a Ram Promaster 2500, 159” wheelbase, window van, Super Arm Lift, Six Way Transfer Seat, and Push Rock hand controls.  The main reason for a full-size van versus a minivan is the size.  Minivans may seem roomy enough to those looking from the outside, but not when there is a need to maneuver a wheelchair around inside.  When Erica travels - even some short distances - it often requires her to bring along a commode, and a shower chair, which takes up a lot of space.  She also has an all-terrain Grit Freedom chair that enables her to enjoy hiking trails.  It often gets left home for lack of room.  Able-bodied people don’t have to worry about accessible bathrooms, or they can just pack hiking boots - not their toilet and a second wheelchair.

Erica often rents a track chair from Accessibility WI that allows her to go places that her Grit chair doesn’t - especially in the winter/snow season.  The Promaster van will allow her to tow the trailer the track chair comes in so she doesn’t have to find someone else to haul it for her.

The main reason for the Super Arm Lift is that traditional ramps and roll-on lifts require accessible parking spots and a minimum of five feet of clearance from the end of the ramp/lift.  Ramps are also very steep and hard to get up in a wheelchair, and almost impossible to get up if it’s raining or snowing.  The Super Arm also has advantages over other lifts - compactness, doesn’t block windows or create blind spots, doesn’t block the side door for other passengers, it is very quiet and uses less battery power.  It is also easily installed with minimum modifications to the vehicle and that protects resale value too.  The six-way transfer seat will allow Erica to safely transfer to the driver's seat from her wheelchair.  It’s safer for her to be in an actual driver’s seat - her wheelchair cannot provide head and neck protection.  

Erica is fortunate to live in an area that has accessible transportation, and she has a community waiver program to help fund $35 to $200 a day depending on the distance. There are many drawbacks to these services. Firstly, those funds could be better spent on other things Erica needs assistance with.  Secondly, safety issues... wheelchairs are not designed to be ridden in, in vehicles. Some vans are not equipped with chest restraints. There have also been times when her wheelchair was not properly secured to the floor, resulting in her tipping backward. Lastly, the constant stress and anxiety… the coordination it takes to arrange for rides, wait for rides, and hope for safe and considerate drivers, (ones who will not take advantage of her by inappropriate touching or comments) is constantly grating.

Erica is also working/planning to restart her massage therapy business.  Without her own transportation, her hours of work will be dictated by a van service.  They do not operate during the times most requested by her customers… weekends or past 5:00 PM on weekdays.  Erica had two work sites in the past, one in Eau Claire and one in Winter. She is currently working to reopen both. Having her own means of accessible transportation will help her be successful in her business; not to mention giving her back some of the freedom and independence that all of us enjoy.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this. Your generosity will be appreciated beyond words.