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Details

Already Expired
Self-Sufficiency Grant
Imminent Loss of Vehicle
Special Needs Children

Status:
Unfunded

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ID# 196986  Greenfield, MA  Submitted: 2011-05-18  Total Cost: $2,188.00

Progress: We've raised 29% of the cost of this application!

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Single Mom/Disabled Kid: Van Repair

My Story:

I'm a single mother of a 15 year-old physically challenged daughter who spends most of her time in a wheelchair. My daughter has a 6 year old Service Dog who helps her tremendously and goes everywhere with us. Besides being a single mom, I am also a part-time college student working towards getting my BA in Psychology through online classes at a local university and I am a volunteer puppy raiser for the same organization that my daughter got her service dog from. I also received my License in the state of Massachusetts for Massage Therapy last October so I can earn some money and hopefully get off of welfare. Though it was taking longer to do things due to my daughter's medical issues; I wanted to be an example for her and to show her that you can achieve anything if you keep at it.

Up until about 3 1/2 months ago, we had a 1994 Ford Escort that just barely fit my daughter, her wheelchair, her service dog and the puppy that I'm training. We were quickly outgrowing the small car and needed to get something bigger; like a van.

In February of 2011, my daughter and I were awarded a van through a charitable organization that gives used vehicles to people who could otherwise not afford one on their own. We were thrilled, so when a friend of mine lost her car because it was unsafe to drive on the road, I offered her my small car and she happily accepted. Things were looking up.

The van was everything we could hope for and it fit my daughter, her wheelchair, and both dogs with room to spare. We finally could get around easier and not feel so cramped. This van was going to become my daughter's first vehicle next year when she was able to get her driver's permit. I had someone who would be able to put in hand controls for her and someone who could install a ramp for her.

However, only a month after receiving the van I noticed an odd sound and a distinct clunking noise when the van shifted from reverse into drive and immediately took it to a mechanic in my area who told me he suspected that it was the transmission or the trans axle. Come to find out, after taking the van to a transmission shop, that not only did it have 2 leaks, but that there were huge chunks of metal in the pan; which meant the transmission was falling apart and the van would be un-drivable soon. The bottom line is that the transmission needs to be rebuilt and it takes me so long to save up money on such a tight budget, that it would take many, many months before I could get it fixed.

The van has been sitting in my driveway now for the past 3 weeks. I can no longer use the van to go to any massage appointments for work and I can no longer use the van to take my daughter to her medical appointments.

We really could use the help of the donors of this site. We appreciate any assistance with this major repair of the van that we so heavily rely on to get around. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Help Complete this Application

$2,188.00  is the total cost to complete this application, including the cost of fulfillment.
$635.00  has already been given to Modest Needs by donors who've recommended this application for funding.
$1,553.00  is the amount necessary to complete this applicant's request for help.
$

is the amount I'd like to give to Modest Needs, and I'd like to recommend that Modest Needs fund this request for help if possible.