Dominick Evans Needs A Van

I've written about Dominick Evans for two weekends now.  If you have not visited www.ahouse4dom.com - what the heck are you waiting on?  

I know you need a van desperately. Talk about that some please.

We'd like to get a vehicle that is wheelchair accessible. We are looking at the Chevy Uplander, merely because a full sized van is too big for the driver in this house to handle (some people are afraid of bigger cars), and the Uplander is the only minivan big enough to accommodate my power wheelchair (which, by the way costs as much as a car - thankfully insurance paid for it). The Uplander costs around $23,000 for the extended version (the kind you have to get in order for it to be made accessible). The initial quote for lowering the floor and adding a wheelchair ramp and tie downs to the van is $15,000. This is what is needed to make the van accessible. For the van, I'd be paying $38,000. An already converted van of this type is going to cost upwards of $50,000, so making my van accessible on my own will actually save money.

What are the benefits? 

The benefit to having a van is great. I can't go out to a restaurant, store, park or any other location just to enjoy time with my family. Accessible transport only takes me to doctor's appointments and work/business oriented appointments. I can't leave my county, so I'd be able to go see specialists for my disability and being transgendered, who I cannot see now. I would save on transport time to and from doctor's appointments by at least 2 hours per trip.

Traveling to the doctor's currently is an ALL day experience by public transport. I don't get out much as a result. If I have an emergency, I can't go to the hospital, without calling 911. I can't just hop in the car and drive. I also have to pay hundreds of dollars out of pocket for an ambulance to drive me home since I don't have any way of getting my wheelchair to the hospital with me, or any way to get home without said ambulance. I've had to turn down necessary doctor's appointments due to travel issues dealing with public transportation's unreliability and my health has suffered because of this.

Dominick and I spent quite a bit of time in the interview process.  It wasn't easy for him.  Just like his life is not easy.  What will you do to help? 

picture from www.drivetuscany.com