We need to fund raise, why? read on...

Got a doctor's appointment, need to go to the bank, or want to go to church? Or maybe you just want to go out! Well,  maybe you can hop on a bus or take a taxi or share a ride with a friend!  BUT, what happens if your like Bill, and require a wheelchair to move around?  Maybe you have accessible public transportation---NOT available where Bill lives! Ok, how about an accessible taxi?--NOT available where Bill lives!  You can't get a ride with a friend, because you cannot transfer into a regular car...so what do you do? 
You buy a vehicle of your own....but why should it cost more than 3 times more  for the disabled to purchase an accessible vehicle?  The Ontario government does not offer any funding towards the purchase, or the modifications (they do not charge tax on the modifications). Only one vechicle, the MV1 is made maufactured as a full accesible vechicle, but because of the value of Canadain dollar vs. US dollar is is now unattainable.
Everyday, you see auto ads offering discounts or rebates or sales...but never for an accessible vehicle....why? because there is no competition. 
The cost of an accessible vehicle with modifications is $55,000 or more.  What makes so expensive? The van will need to have a higher roof or a lowered floor, a wheelchair lift. tie downs for the wheelchiar user and the front seat removed to allow Bill to sit in the front seat as a passenger for the first time in his life!  This would allow Bill to be able to see ahead, speak to the driver and not feel left behind in the back of the vehicle. That is it...no fancy trim or extra gadgets, just a big van! Bill can no longer transfer into the drivers seat, so he currently sits behind the drivers seat when traveling.  The current vehicle has let us down a couple of times over the last few years, forcing Bill to miss attending two family funerals and doctors appointments.  Do you know what happens when your vehicle has a breakdown?  A tow truck will remove your vehicle, but not the person in  a wheelchair! You are left to figure that part out on your own!

Bill has been a paraplegic since an accident as a toddler. He has  worked all of his adult life, even helped on the farm as a child. He has many jobs, including working as a West Coast fisherman,  as asset manager for the Federal Government, finally with the highland dancing business. He has never received disability allowance. He has competed as a wheelchair athlete in many marathons throughout Canada and the US, and received many medals, finishing all 26.2 miles of every marathon, all while working a full time job. He has volunteered in many ways, including becoming president of the Cornwall Handicap Club. He received a Governor Generals Medal for his fine example of a determined individual.  Bill has been given awards by different Highland Dance organizations, including being made a lifetime member of the OHDA. Many dancers still have some of the primary prizes  and novice trophies that he has donated over the years. He continues to be an active part of the Highland Dancing community, despite many health challenges. Help keep Bill the active person he is, donate to our  transportation fund. We are not trying to raise the complete price of the vehicle, only a portion to pay the accesiblity part. If you would like to help, you can donate below and please share this page.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We are saving for a new accesbile and if you would like to help Bill move back into the front seat, please use the Donate button to access Paypal  or you can use an email transfer. (olivercat@live.ca).  This is a personal fund raiser, you will not recieve a tax reciept, but many heartfelt thank yous!