Help Malakai Get an Accessible Vehicle

Hi everyone, I’m Malakai—a Black and Disabled Graduate Student in Social Work—and I’m reaching out with a heartfelt request for support. Transportation is critical to my ability to live, thrive, learn, and achieve my dreams, and I need your help to make it possible.

For nearly a decade, my van was my lifeline, helping me get to school, medical appointments, and run errands. Unfortunately, my 17-year-old van stopped running, and repairs aren’t a viable option due to its age.

For a while, I managed without a van by relying on my wheelchair to get everywhere. This put significant strain on my wheelchair, leading to tire damage that left me completely without transportation for 50 days. While my wheelchair has now been repaired, this experience reinforced how essential a reliable, accessible van is for my independence and safety.

Exciting Update: I Found a Van!

After searching for the past month, I’ve finally found a reliable, accessible van that meets my needs! I’m incredibly close to making this happen, but after factoring in the cost of the van, taxes, and insurance, I’ve had to update my goal to $60,000. I’m now about $4,500 short of securing the van, and I need your help to close the gap!

Given the political climate and restrictions that impact disabled people like me, I need to move quickly so these funds don’t sit in my account too long, which could affect my disability benefits.

A personal vehicle isn’t just convenient—it’s essential for me to continue my internship, medical care, and daily needs safely. Any donations beyond the goal will go toward registering, insuring, and maintaining the van to keep it reliable for years to come.

We are so close! Please consider donating, sharing, or reposting to help me reach the final stretch. Every bit of support makes a difference.