Tyler Goins Wheelchair Van Fund
Tyler Goins is a 22 year old who is totally disabled with Cerebral Palsy and is bound to his wheelchair at all times. He works and attends Cheryl Ann Programs in Celina, OH and absolutely loves to be a social butterfly going everywhere possible in between doctor and therapy appointments.
Tyler is currently attending training sessions for his new Tobii by Dynovox Communication Device at the Pearlman Center at Cincinnati Childrens Hospital. Tyler is learning to opperate his Tobii device through eye gaze. This means he uses his eyes to activate his device to speak. Tyler has Never been able to speak and his Tobii will now give him a "Voice". This technology is truely Amazing! I wish more individuals like Tyler could have this opportunity. This training requires us to travel to Cincinnati every week! 130 Miles one way. That doesnt even count the times we have to make double trips due to doctor appointments.
Needless to say this means we put a lot of miles on the quickly dying van we currently have. We currently have a 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan that is modified for his wheelchair but has close to 200 thousand miles on it and is falling apart rapidly. Even after the constant maintenence we perform on it throught the year.
One of our biggest fears came true when we recently broke down on Interstae 75 right outside of Cincinnati at rush hour! No -one including the fire department, could find us a wheelchair accessible van to rent so we could get off of the highway and home. So we had to have the rescue squad rescue us from the busy highway and take us to a safe place until help arrived. WOW What a Mess That Was!
It is our goal to purchase a newer van that is adapted with a rear entry ramp for Tyler's wheelchair to go right into. His wheelchair is custom made specifically for him and is very long and heavy. Therefore we need a reliable van that he can simply go right into while in his chair.
Wheelchair accessible vans are extremely expensive if purchased brand new. Costing almost as much as a house! We do not need a brand new 2016 modified van, just simply something that is less than 5 years old so that it will hopefuly last Tyler another 10 years minimum. That is almost the same amount of time we have had our current van which we purched at the same place we intend to get our next one at.
Mobility Works in Cincinnati, OH.
It is our hope that you as a community can find it in your hearts to help Tyler to maintain his freedom and mobility by donating to his "Van Fund".
Feel free to contact us with any questions.