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Help a Veteran Regain His Mobility

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I am setting up this GoFundMe to help my brother-in-law, Eugene Atcitty. We need a handicap accessible van and a motorized wheelchair for him. Due to health issues, his ability to walk has become increasingly difficult over the past 18 months. He has been in and out of the hospital every month for the past 12 months. His wife stays home to care for him, and they are on a limited income. I am reaching out to my friends and family to raise $7,000.00.
Eugene is a veteran, having served in the US Navy from 1972 - 1974 on the USS Kitty Hawk as a Machinist Mate during the Vietnam Era. Part of his duties was to produce electricity and freshwater from seawater for 5,000 men.
After leaving the military, he has served as Chaplain, Honor Guardian, and Color Guard during military burials from 1977 - 2020. His heart’s desire is to continue to serve as needed, but his inability to get around has greatly hindered his volunteer work.
Eugene and his wife (my sister) drive on a dirt road to get to their home, so they have a pickup truck for transportation. When they need to travel for doctors’ appointments, it is extremely difficult for my sister to get him in and out of the truck. That is why our family is working on getting a handicap van and a motorized wheelchair to help get Eugene more mobile, thereby giving him hope.
From Eugene: “I am humbled to be in this condition as I have been a hard worker all my life. I worked as a Police Sergeant for 15 years for the Navajo Nation, then worked as the Fire Chief and Fire Investigator. I miss being active!” Thank you for helping my wife and I, as I know it is hard on her.”
We have located a much-used handicap van, which needs a new windshield, new tires, a door replaced, and quite a bit of cleaning up to make it usable for Eugene. Family members are willing to do the work needed to clean the van and do the repair work. This is how the funds raised will be used:

Used 2004 handicap van $3,300.00
Four new tires $800.00
Replace Windshield $300.00
Tags/Title Change $400.00
Repair various parts and
replace broken door $900.00

Motorized wheelchair $1,300.00

Total needed $7,000.00

Some renovation work will need to be done to the doors in their home to make them wheelchair compatible. If any funds are left over, the money will be used to make their home more ADA compatible.
From his wife Linda: “ I appreciate any and all support my spouse gets. He has missed medical appointments because I have no help in getting him into the truck. At the hospital, we get no help because the screening staff are not trained to help with patients. Getting a van with a lift is what we need to meet his medical treatments. Thank you so much.”

I appreciate any help our communities can give my family at this time. I know the world is full of caring people, and I am appealing to all of you who read this to help give this veteran the help he needs at this time. God bless all of you and thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Organizer and beneficiary

Virginia Ballenger
Organizer
Gallup, NM
Linda Atcitty
Beneficiary

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