Shelly's New Ride

Shelly is no ordinary 14 year old middle school student. If you are lucky enough to meet Shelly, you will never forget her. At birth she was diagnosed with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita, AMC. This affects her joints and makes her flexibility limited. AMC affects her elbows, wrists, hips, knees, and ankles. At her young age she has already experienced five painful surgeries that help improve her range of motion. As a small child, her mother has taught her never to give up and always work hard. Shelly's mother also taught her how to begin writing using her mouth. Growing up, Shelly began creating an interest for visual arts. Using her mouth, she was able to draw, color and create amazing pieces of art work. She soon learned many people responded strongly to her amazing talents. 

Shelly is now a growing teenager who yerns for the same items any teenager would. She loves hanging out afterschool with her friends, she stresses about deadlines and tests, and even has the occasional middle school crush. And like any middle school teenager, she is forced to think about her bright future. As Shelly's teacher, I know for a fact her future is going to be stunning. She is a straight A student, hates when she has to miss school, and is involved in many extracurricular activities. In speaking with Shelly, she would like to become as independent as she is allowed by her condition. 

This is where gofundme comes in to help. Shelly recently was given an electric wheel chair to manuver her way around locations. The difference in her post electric wheel chair has been remarkable. She loves having the freedom to decide which direction she wants to go. She has a smile from ear to ear as she races down the school hallways. She learned to drive this wheelchair in a matter of days. This chair gives her one more knotch on her independce belt. 

There is one downside, however, this wheel chair weights over 300 pounds and requires a specific vehicle and lift to transport. While Shelly loves coming to school, she is stifled over the weekends because she is not able to manuever on her family's weekend trips. The funds we are asking for will be to provide Shelly a full sized van with power lift, that will allow her to take her electronic wheelchair everywhere her heart desires. Shelly is able to attend many functions outside of school and on the weekends, but today she is limited to a manual wheelchair that requires someone to push her. 

Shelly's 8th grade year is full of afterschool functions, Saturday gatherings, Art Show receptions, field trips and much more. She is just getting started. For high school, she would like to join many clubs, organizations and afterschool extracurriculars. This full sized van will allow her to be more independent and rely less on certain people. Shelly already has plans for attending an out of town college. 

Besides being an amazing artist and a remarkable straight A student, Shelly doesn't let her disability stop her from getting what she wants. She is determined, well mannered, respectable, highly intelligent, loving, extremely humourous and the most influencial person you will ever meet.

Thank you for your generous donations in our efforts to give Shelly a vehicle that will open her road to endless opportunities.