Professor Mike's Transportation

I met Mike one morning last year as he was struggling to make his way up Grant Street on crutches to the writing center. I was on my way home from morning workouts and stopped to ask if he would like a ride. He agreed and I drove him a couple more times before he let me take his phone number and pick him up from the bus stop every morning to take him to work.

Mike works with IUP's American Language Institute as a grammar professor and testing coordinator for international students. Due to his degenerative spinal disorder, Mike is now in a wheelchair and unable to take the bus. He needs to be picked up from his apartment every morning. Because of my class and practice schedule this semester, I was unable to take him to work. Indiana's Turbotaxi has graciously been transporting Mike to IUP during the week. However, taking a taxi every morning gets expensive, especially with the time factored in to get Mike from his apartment and get him and his wheelchair into the car. Turbotaxi has agreed to work with me to make an account for Mike that his rides can be paid out of. 

Mike also gets very stiff at times, causing him to fall or have trouble getting up while at home. I have been over to help him a few times, but Mike has to call 911 when no one else is available to help. Each visit from citizen's ambulance is $125 and the frequency of these visits are increasing for Mike. Indiana's citizen's ambulance offers $100 year-long memberships that cut the price of these kinds of visits in half, making each 911 call only $62.50. 

I have created this campaign with Mike's permission, with a goal of raising enough money for a citizen's ambulance membership and to start an account with turbotaxi so Mike does not have to worry about the cost of his transportation and continue to do what he loves at IUP. Please consider giving back to your school and the IUP community during this holiday season. Any amount donated counts! Thank you!!