Hi. My name is Rachel Herman and I want to get my dad a van.
My father was an able bodied person up until recently. He retired from teaching for 30+ years in 2010. He was excited to spend his days at the beach with our dog, Romeo. However, unfortunately, my dad began noticing his walking had changed. Soon after a battery of tests my dad was diagnosed with Motor Neuron Disease. He eventually had to quit a second teaching job he took on and go on disability. Three years later he is unable to walk or move much of his body and is homebound.
My father provided a good life for his family. He and my mother gave me a loving and stable home. They supported me through four years of college. Now, after all that he has done for me I want to give him something back. I want to give him a chance to have the independence he once had again. I want to take him to the boardwalk this summer in a handicapped van, with our dog Romeo. My only problem is I am a recent college graduate, have three part-time jobs and still struggling to pay my rent. One of the devastating parts of this disease is that it is fast paced. Alone, I cannot feasibly afford a completely converted handicapped van in a short amount of time. But! With your help it is a completely different story.
This van is not going to only help my family. With constant contact with theALS association of Greater NY I have decided I am going to donate the van to their loan closet after my father is not of use of it any more. It will then go to another family struggling with the same disease my father has. That way my family is no way financially benefitting from your contribution.
In addition, if I go over my goal in anyway, any extra money is going to the ALS association's transportation fund. That way you can help other people going to doctor's visits with the same disease.
If you can't help financially, I understand. If you could just post this page on your facebook, or email a few friends about it or show it to your journalist cousin who can write a nice little piece about this project to the Biloxi Tribune, it would be greatly appreciated.
Again, any help counts. I just really want to get my dad this van after all he has done for me.
Any questions,comments or words of inspiration, feel free to email me at getdadavan@gmail.com !