Wheelchair Accessible Van

Melissa is a dear friend of mine. She is a 46 year old mother of a 13 yeard old daughter. She is also a paraplegic. She was in an automobile accident in 1983 and left paralyzed from the waist down. The van she has now is 14 years old and has over 200,000 miles on it. Melissa is a very independent person, but without transportation she could end up in a nursing home. Just to let you know a little bit about Melissa. She was injured at the age of 17. She returned to high school and by keeping up with her studies in the hospital she managed to graduate with her class on time. After high school she returned to Lakeshore Rehabilitation and took a business education course. On completion of the course, she became employed. She made the move from Beatrice Alabama, to Birmingham Alabama. She found her an apartment and since she didn't have transportation, she took a taxi to and from work, until she could save enough money bo purchase a car. Melissa has worked at Spain Rehabilitation Center, United Cerebral Palsy and the Birmingham Independent Living Center. All of her jobs have been in the capapcity of helping others with disabilities In 1994, she won the title of Ms. Wheelchair Alabama. She spent the year traveling and speaking to different schools and other groups about living life as a wheelchair user. This opportunity lead her to a group known as Think First, which is a head and spinal cord injury prevention program. For 4 years she was the head spokesperson. She has spoken to thousands of kids, from kindergarten age, to college age, about the dangers of drinking and driving, not wearing seatbelts, checking the depth of water before diving and many other behaviors that can cause these injuries. In 1998, Melissa purchase her own home, she soon married and despite the doctors telling her she would never have children, she gave birth to a healthy baby girl in November of 1999. This is when she began the need for a wheelchair accessible van. Melissa was able to drive a car after her accident. But, the years of loading/undloaidng the wheelchair took a toll on her upper body. Also, it was safer for her to transport her baby with a wheelchair van. After the birth of her daughter she has been a stay at home mom, but has continued to work part time as a consultant. This job is to help make sure that businesses are wheelchair accessible. So, please consider donating to this worthy cause. There is no donation too small and every dollar counts. Thank you so much!