Help Shondra to get a Mobility Conversion Van

Hello. My name is Debbie Moon. I'm the one located on the extreme left side of the picture at Shondra's right side. To Shondra's left is her sister, Tracy and then their mother, Sandra.

I am on a mission to raise money for a cause that is very close and dear to my heart. My friend Shondra Dupree needs a wheelchair accessible vehicle.

About Shondra:

Shondra was born prematurely at 6.5 months. She has Arthrogryposis which means her joints did not develop at birth. She is fully dependent on her caregivers, family and friends to care for her. She relies on others for going to the bathroom, bathing, hygiene and eating. Shondra loves her family, friends and most of all she loves Jesus. She is a true worshiper of the Lord and inspires so many with her worship despite her disability.

Currently, Shondra is transported in her sister’s car to her appointments, church and other activities. Her caregivers transport the wheelchair with a Cargo carrier attachment that attaches to the SUV's hitch. It weighs the car down in the back, which limits roads they can access. If there is a large dip that makes the Cargo carrier drag and contacts the street asphalt, it is frightening to all in the vehicle, as it sounds horrendous. Also, since, Shondra's wheel chair must not be exposed to wet weather conditions, having a mobility vehicle will ensure the operability of the wheel chair from destination to destination. In short, their vehicle is not equipped to handle the special needs for Shondra's quality of life issues. Although Shondra's personal safety is not compromised, Tracy feels that a vehicle made to handle handicap quality of life issues will be so much better, all around, for Shondra's well-being and a sense of independence to enter & leave a vehicle.

Shondra really enjoys going to church and worshiping the Lord with her church family. Shondra’s wheel chair IS her sense of independence outside the home. A wheelchair accessible vehicle would help this family in a great way.

About Shondra’s caregivers:

Tracy is Shondra’s older sister and Eugene is Shondra’s older brother. Together, they do the heavy lifting portion of Shondra’s care. This includes transferring from one place to another, in and out of the car, showering and going to the potty. Their mother, Sandra, who is 80 years old, also continues to care for Shondra. She feeds her, is with her during the day and assists with hygiene and whatever Shondra needs

aside from being lifted.

I am fortunate to spend lots of time with this family. We enjoy going to movies, Christian concerts, eating out at restaurants, and attending special church events. I witness first hand how hard it is on Shondra’s caregivers to get her in and out of the car and in and out of her wheelchair. I recently learned that Shondra

and her sister were on their way to church and it started raining and they had to turn around and return home.

That day the weather was only cloudy and rain was not in the forecast.

This broke my heart because I know how much Shondra and her family are passionate about attending their church faithfully.

Why am I so passionate about this cause? I am glad you asked! I, too, have a disability. I have a disease called Stargardt, which has left me with a severe visual disability. However, this family does not see disability. They see my ability to do all things in Christ Who strengthens me. Shondra encourages me everyday to love

the Lord better, serve the Lord better and pray with all my heart for others. So, being around this family is so important to me because they include me and I am ever so grateful. I want to find a way to help them with a wheelchair accessible vehicle that would increase the quality of the lives of Shondra, her Family/caregivers during all the events that they want her to participate, in life, and not be limited and greatly remove so much limitations that the current situation is presenting. Please consider praying or donating to this very special cause for this family that is so very dear to my heart and if you knew them you would feel the same. Thank you.

I'm so grateful for the assistance of my dear friend, Timothy Mitchell, for helping me to develop this GoFundMe page and for all of you who are willing to pray and/or donate to such an important opportunity to be a Blessing to my sister-in-Christ.

Much Love in Christ Jesus,

Debbie Moon