Wheelchair-Accessible Van for Donna Glennie

My name is Darcy Berglund, and I am a former piano student (in my adult years), and current friend, of Donna Glennie. My daughter Kyle took piano from Donna as well, from her grade school through her high school years, and considers piano playing, as well as her friendship with Donna, an important part of her life.

Donna suffered a severe stroke on November 1, 2022. Her sharp mind was spared, while one side of her body was not; the stroke led to paralysis of Donna’s left arm and left leg. Despite 1 & 1/2 years of skilled, targeted physical therapy, Donna has not regained movement of her left side.

The hope has been that Donna’s regaining movement in her leg might mean she could walk again, while her regaining movement in her arm might mean she could return, in some manner, to her gifted piano playing. Neither has happened, to the heartbreak of her family.

Donna’s children, who spend countless hours at Donna’s side each week in her care home in Eden Prairie, MN, observe Donna’s mood lift with trips outside of the care facility. She needs more of these trips, but it is becoming impossible without the help of a specially-equipped van. A van of this type is not covered by Medicare, nor by the services provided by Hennepin County.

The intent of this Go Fund Me page is to help Donna Glennie’s family purchase a used, wheelchair-accessible van, one with a motorized ramp. The cost for this type of van ranges from $20,000–$25,000.

Donna is beloved not just by her devoted children, and her extended family, but by the dozens of piano and singing students she has taught over the last few decades. Donna’s energy and warmth, her musical gifts, and her joy in teaching helped her students learn how to bring texture and feeling into their playing. And she cared for every one of them.

I will never forget Donna’s participation, as keyboardist, in Southwest High School’s production of Les Miserables. Her expert piano playing, including her innate sense of rhythm, kept that huge and complex score moving along. It allowed the students playing in the orchestra, as well as those on the stage, to shine.

In her family and extended family, Donna has always remained steadfast, strong, and loyal, always there for whoever needed her.

It is my hope that Donna’s family will be able to purchase a wheelchair accessible van before long, allowing her to visit our city’s parks, lakes, and museums, and enjoy not just time with family but the beauty that has always meant so much to her.

Thank you,

Darcy