As I mentioned in an earlier blog, in August we started the
process of finding an accessible minivan for our family. We’ve talked to
MobilityWorks (the main supplier of such vehicles), friends who use accessible vehicles
and local dealerships. What we learned is
that there a million different options and it’s going to be expensive
pretty much no matter what. The gently used 2016 van that we had our eye on was
about $50,000. Alterations to a van that’s already owned are about
$30,000. Brent said, “I never thought I would spend that much on a vehicle, but
if I did, I didn’t think it would be a minivan.” Haha!
I started researching grants right away. I found several endowment
type groups that offer small grants. Some we qualify for and some we don’t. I
received information about a program through the state of Illinois that offers
$15,000 grants for capital improvements to your house or car. PERFECT! I got on
the phone with the agency and the very nice woman explained how it all worked.
She told me she would send me the paperwork to fill out and once I submitted it,
we would be put on the waitlist. This didn’t surprise me, but I asked her how
long the wait would be. She said she had no way of knowing. I asked how many people were on the wait
list. She paused and then said, “Well…the
last I heard this summer there were 19,000 people on the list.” I busted out
laughing on the phone. “And how many
grants do they give out a year?” I asked. She replied, “Oh…between 500 and
1000.” I started laughing again. So
great, by the time Connor is my age we will have made our way to the top of the
list.
When I got done laughing about how absurd this whole thing
was, I started to feel a little discouraged.
Even though Brent and I are both employed, and we live a comfortable,
middle income life, there was no way we could afford this van. I was talking to
my sister and a friend about it and they convinced me to let them start a GoFundMe for our family. I’m not going to lie – it feels really weird. Our house
didn’t burn down, no one has had a tragic accident. We are just living our life
– as abnormal as it is – and I had a hard time saying yes to accepting help.
But Emily and Kiaja reminded me that we have this big, wide community that
loves us, supports us and prays for us on this journey. You have since the very beginning and they
knew you would show up again.
We are so thankful for that. For the ways you show up
through prayer, text messages, comments on this GoFundMe.
I’m hopeful that we will have this van by the springtime
with your help, even if we are 19,001 on the grant’s wait list.
Thank you!!
