Wheelchair Van Needed

Hello,
Thank you for checking out this fund raiser.
Did you know that the state of New Hampshire and private charitable foundations do not offer families of physically handicapped children the financial support they need when it comes to independent transportation assistance?  Oddly, only if a child is both physically and cognitively handicapped will the state provide the grants in aid for a family's transportation needs.
Handicapped vans are available for regular school transportation but not for field trips or extracuricular activities.
My grandson, Constantine, is physically challenged and requires a wheelchair full time. He was born with the  genetic disorer SMA. His insurance and the state of New Hampshire will combine to cover the costs of ambulance transit to doctor visits. Soon he will be making frequent trips to Boston Children's Hospital for extensive hip and pelvis surgery. These abulance rides could cost the state over $50,000!
But there isn't financial assistance to convert a passanger van to one with a wheelchair lift. Other states like Vermont, Maine and Massachusetts offer van conversion grants but not New Hampshire. Without a wheelchair accessible van Constantine's life is essentially home bound. There are transportation funds and grants for those who are over 18 but nothing for youngsters.
Constantine's family has an 8 year old van with 110,500 miles on it.  It needs significant repairs to make it safe. Immediate repairs are about $2,500.  $19,500 is needed to pay down the current loan .  Funds  that we raise will then be used to purchase a newer van with a down payment  of $18,000.
Everyday we hope for a cure for SMA. Until that time  each day is a life and death challenge and a gift.  I hope you will be generous with your support.

Thank you !