My name is Tosha Newton I suffer from spastic Cerebral Palsy diplegia. It has resulted me not able to walk and have to depend on a motorized wheelchair. I have always fought to overcome many obstacles with my health and many many surgeries. The only obstacle that I can't seem to overcome is transportation. Cerebral palsy is not the only heath obstacle I have to face, I also have sleep apnea, overactive bladder, gastroenteritis,severe edema in both legs. I am in serious need of a replacement handicap van so that I can continue to have the freedom and independence I had when I received the used wheelchair accessible van 6 years ago. The van is a 2005 dodge caravan. It is becoming very dangerous to drive here is why. The powersteering pump is failing the check engine lights stay on, the hazardous lights keep flashing the ac doesnt work. I have severe asthma and when its very hot it becomes very hard to breathe it gets to the point I have to call 911 to get transported to the hospital due to not being able to breathe. Its leaking oil from an unknown place with an unknown cause, The passengerside door is totally broken it will not open. If the van was ever to catch on fire. I will be trapped inside. It has a very strong gasoline odor, the windshield wipers dont work making me not able to use the van at all in bad weather. Having me to try to find another form of transportation which im not able to do because uber/lyft is not wheelchair accessible, the public bus dont go to the locations I need to get to for my many medical appointment needs. Having the van has kept me being stranded not able to get to my medical appointments family functions from relying soley on public transportation. It has been repaired many times. Now even mechanics are saying the van is getting dangerous and hazardous to drive and being its 16 years old its not worth putting more money into it. On my fixed income I cant afford. I am a fulltime single mother of a soon to be 8 year old daughter who I love so very much that is in desperate need of a replacement wheelchair accessible not looking for something brand new just looking for something I can rely on to get me to my many medical appointments family functions and community events. Through the years I have helped others now tables have turned and I need help myself. For the people that have known me and the ones getting to know me know that I am very independent and never let the fact that im differently abled get in my way the reason Im asking for your help to replace my wheelchair van so my daughter and I can continue to get to our doctors appointments, Family Functions, community activities. I am already a burden to family and others due to being disabled and very heavy to try to lift and put into a car then no way if getting around from there. Wheelchair accessible vans are very expensive making it hard for me to afford it alone. So im asking for your help if you cant donate please share. No donation is to small anything is appreciated It will be used only to get a replacement van. At this point I feel my independence is slowly slipping away from me but with your help I can keep the independence I had when I received received the above mentioned van.
Please help if you can if not please share. Thank you!!!!