Aimee Copeland Foundation is partnering with FODAC and AMS Vans to donate Aimee’s used 2012 Honda Odyssey with VMI conversion. Applicants must have a disability and require use of a wheelchair for mobility. See application below for details.
CLICK HERE TO APPLY
Please complete application by February 7, 2019 and submit electronically to advocateaimee@gmail.com. Applicants will be notified of decision by March 1, 2019.
YOU MUST COMPLETE THE APPLICATION AND SUBMIT ELECTRONICALLY WITH PROOF OF INCOME AND COPY OF DRIVER’S LICENSE TO BE CONSIDERED.
Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
I have a son that is 31, he was born with spinal bifida, he has a new chair but we have no means of getting it around we would love to win it it would go to real good use.
Good morning. I was recently alerted to your essay contest and wanted to throw my father in laws name in the mix. I’m sure you have many worthy candidates and I don’t envy you having to make a decision. My father in law Steve is an incomplete quadriplegic. He’s a silver star recipient, a Vietnam war veteran and retired postal worker. He has been a caretaker, giver and a servant all his life. October 2017 he took a fall down some steps and his spinal cord was damaged. Multiple surgeries and countless hours of therapy couldn’t remedy his situation. My wife owned a successful business at the time of the accident (he was actually helping her when he fell) and had to close her business to take care of her Daddy. We moved him in with us, got all the medical equipment set up in his room and Amy takes care of him full time, from changing diapers to being up several times a night to catheterize him. We’d appreciate you considering our application
You must complete the application above to be considered for the van donation.
Hi Amiee! My name is Vonschiska White. I seen your story tonight on the news and I was touched. It was a blessing to have seen your story because it is very similar to my friend Yolanda Harrison.
I met Yolanda in June 2018 after moving to Atlanta. Yolanda was my leasing agent. We became friends because we were also neighbors. From the first time I met her it was great. Yolanda spirit is so sweet. She is very caring, thoughtful, and just a around beautiful woman.
Yolanda had surgery September 16, 2018. What was supposed to have been a recovery surgery of 4 to 6 weeks, turned out to be longer do to major (life threatening) complications. Yolanda’s large Intestine was cut during her hysterectomy surgery causing Yolanda to be rushed back to the hospital after shortly be discharged. Yolanda flatlined and she was placed on life support. She has had over 7 major surgeries, several on her intestine and skin grafts. She was placed on Dialysis for weeks (currently she is no longer on Dialysis). In a result to this truma, Yolanda had to have both of her hands and feet amputated do to no circulation and to save her life.
After hearing your story, yalls are so similar, just different incidents and cases. When seen your story on the news I got so excited. I said to myself “wow, I can’t wait to she this story to Yolanda…what an inspiration Aimee are”.
If anyone deserves this blessing that you are pass along, it would definitely be Yolanda and I know that she’ll pay it forward.
Yolanda is at the Shepherd’s Center here in Atlanta. She has a long road to go for recovery but after seeing your story I have hope that she will get through this. Not to mention Yolanda was planning her wedding. I feel that she will still go through every plan and every dream that she has ever set before her.
I’d love for you to join me by paying Yolanda a visit at the Shepherd’s Center. I’m confident that you and your story is needed and she’ll love to meet you.
I pray that my message reach you.
Bestest,
Vonschiska White
803-524-5967
vonwhite17@gmail.com
My wife also had necrotizing fasciitis back in December 28 2015 .7 surgeries 50 days in the hospital . 20 days at a rehabilitation center .7 months in home nursing care. She had her left buttock amputated and portions of her left leg down to her knee. Her medical bills haven’t been paid at this moment.currently over 1 million dollars. We have a lawsuit going but was told not to air her story on the news. It would be a blessing if you would consider us for the vehicle. I’m am also 100% disability from the va for ptsd.
I would like to nominate my daughter Morgan Bailey. She was born with Spina Bifida and has been in a wheelchair all of her life. She is very independent with every aspect of her life except for her driving. She went away to college but had to have friends drive her everywhere. We would drive to college and pick her up when she wanted to come home. She is now home and is going to MAC beauty institute so she can better her life. She would love to do makeup for movies and TV. The hard part is that I drive her everyday to school. I also work so I get up two hours early so I can take care of my mother before I leave to take Morgan to school, then I go to work. It would be a Godsend if she was able to receive this gift. Then she would be very independent and she would be unstoppable.
Thank you for this opportunity.
Morgan sounds like she would be a perfect recipient. I look forward to reading her application!
Good morning, Aimee Copeland Foundation.
My friend, Delores Lawhorn, needs the handicap van, announced on WSB-TV, this morning, January 10, 2019. She weighs 407lbs, and uses her wheelchair to manuever to her porch; and with much assistance stepping down 3 (three) steps, she is able to get to a vehicle. She awaits the arrival of her son to transport her, even to the grocery store. Recently, she was diagnosed with cancer and has the aid of portable oxygen. Having her own van, would allow her the freedom and indepedence she needs in getting to and from doctor appointments and other places. She adopted a Special Needs child 27 years ago and needs to escort him to doctor appointments, as well. She cannot afford to buy a vehicle.
Please consider her as the candidate for the van you are generously donating.
Thank you.
Jo Ann Jenkins
Please encourage her to complete the application above!
Hello, does this van give way have to be an adult with this disability or can it be for a child with a disability because my son is 3 and is in dire need for one.
Parents can apply too!
I am nominating my son and daughter-in-love. They have 2 sons, 9 and 7 who has been diagnose with DMD. Duchene Muscular dystrophy. The oldest has to travel to Pensacola once a week for infusion , for a study, and we are praying this helps slow down the progression of his muscles loosing strength. We are waiting on a power wheelchair for the older one and the only way they have to transport it is in the back of my sons truck. If they had a van it would make it easier for us to take them to school and to his appointments once a week. They do have a chair at school and some of the older boys wheel them around. A handicap Van would allow them to make the trips and go to some of the fun raisers that the DMD community has. Please consider them if not , we know God will provide. He has gotten them this far and we know he will carry us through. God Bless you and seeing your story has helped handicap people know they can do anything with God’s help.
My daughter is 30 years old and was born with spina bifida , she has been in a wheelchair all her life . We have bought 2 vans from private parties and neither one lasted more than 8 months . She works at walmart and sure would benefit from an accessible van.
Thank you ,
Sue Duginske
My daughter was diagnosed with MS in 1999. She has fallen and broken her legs 3 times which required surgery 3 times and has screws/metal plates in each leg. Shavonne is 43 now and is no longer ambulatory. She was a cheerleader, played tennis, avid dancer and long distance runner. In SPITE of her limitations and lack of mobility she graduated with a masters in mass communications; however, she can’t work because she could not afford a vehicle with hand controls so she lives on a disability check. She has totaled 2 cars because her arms/feet weren’t quick enough to stop the car. Shavonne is scheduled for surgery on her legs again on 11JAN and would like to begin to make a contribution to society and encourage those who have the same diagnosis. She has a wheelchair just like the one you use but no car.Thanks for any consideration and congratulations on all you’ve accomplished.
I saw you on the news and i wish i had as much resilience as you, I’m currently going through a situation that I never foresaw myself in and seeing you on the news showed me as powerless as I may feel it could be ≈ or worse. GOD bless you in all that you do. Keep the faith so people like me can. †
I have a 13 year old son with spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy. Hes getting a power chair and a manual wheelchair soon. My van is older and very little room. I could really use another can for him to get around.
Hello my name is kyesha Payne I read your story are you are amazing I have a 13 year old son name Ourss’meek Payne
who was recently diagnosed with (MDM) Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy in 2009 this changed his life dramatically he had a very active life playing basketball, swimming,running, playing, walking, and doing things a normal kid would do.
In result of this horrible disease my son was diagnosed with my son isn’t able to stand or walk by himself he is restricted to a wheelchair my son has battled major depression because of this life changes which also began to take a major toll on the family as well , we couldn’t go out and do normal thing because lack of transportation it’s been hard to transport him back and forth places due to being a single parent i have to lift him up out his chair to put him in a regular vehicle myself and thats been taking a major toll on my muscles and body i have 2 others sons (Twin boys) besides him and they often wonder why they brother isn’t able to run and play with them.
Ourss’meek has came to terms with his disease for years i have been trying to get enough money up to purchase a wheelchair accessible van so i can be able to get my son to and from places as a mother i sometimes feel helpless because im unable to provide a safe reliable means of transportation for him my son means the world to me and i know that he deserves to be able to do normal things with us as a family without having to be limited i feel like my family would benefit highly from this vehicle because i would be able to transport him to and from doctors appointments and therapy.
The van will be used to transport ourss’meek and my two other sons to and from places with having to struggle, I believe that this would change our lives for the better and it will be greatly used for the use of my son needs.
As a mother i’ve faced many challenges but never to this degree i’ve been trying to work hard and get one on my own i haven’t reached my goal yet due to some unexpected life changes but i won’t give up and i sincerely hope you guys could make my son happy with blessing our family with this vehicle it would really light up his world and bring some form of joy to him .
Thank you for sharing your story! Please complete the application, posted in the blog above, to be considered for the van!
Before applying can you post more pictures of the vehicle and the lift? It may not fit the needs. We have before, we are in desperate need of a van but it needs to fit our needs as well.
Thank you
Theresa
The vehicle is currently being worked on and refurbished so I do not have access to it. If you Google “2012 Handa Odyssey VMI Northstar Conversion” you should be able to see the in-floor ramp that deploys from the passenger door. The van also has zero effort steering, a transfer seat in the driver’s side, and both front seats are removable. Let me know if you have any specific questions.
Good Morning, I also had a question about the van if I may. Is the ramp and the door automatic? And is it set up for a wheelchair bound person to drive from there chair? And is it possible to tell us how many miles there is on the van? Thank you for your time in this matter.
What if I don’t have my license yet? I’m currently working on getting it. Can I still apply?
We must have a copy of a Driver’s License for the person who will be driving the vehicle. If there is someone who will be driving you until you get your license, you can submit theirs.
Hello Aimee Copeland Foundation, Please consider me for the free wheelchair accessable van. I have been diagnosed with inflammatory myositis (muscle weakness). I need a wheelchair accessable van to transport me to my doctor appointments, church and other medical requirements. I am a retired 75 year old person and cannot afford the cost of a wheelchair accessable van or a seat conversion van on my retirement income. I have missed many medical appointments because I can no longer afford to pay to rent wheelchair vans to get me to the many doctor appointments and lab work appointments. Due to my full body weakness, I have fallen and fractured my petella, tore the connecting muscles requiring surgery to repair. My daughters drive and assist in getting me to where I need to go. Hoping to hear from you.
Aimee this is a very generous and loving gesture that you’re extending to someone even with the very bad and tragic circumstances that you have encountered. I have MS and I am confined to a wheelchair although I haven’t always been. A few years ago I had the opportunity to meet and briefly converse with this positive and energetic young lady at the Shepherd Center as I was entering. She was sitting there at the pain clinic aggressively flipping through her tablet – with no arms,determined,undeterred but still had a certain look of happiness or contentment . That spirit was infectuous- that person with the tablet was you. I was the person coming in that spoke with you and admired your positive realistic spirit.I happily shared my experience with all others that were receiving treatment for their MS and other difficulties at Shepherd.
Keep finding that ray of light that you possess and willingly share.
My son was born with Arthrogryposis. We currently have a 1998 side load that we’ve been patching up for years. With him being wheelchair bound, we use the van for everything. There was a point where it was in a shop at least 4 – 5 times a year. Needless to say it’s been a costly adventure to keep it up. He’s super active and attends a lot of organizations that help special needs and undiagnosed people. He had a very important role in the development of the Play For All Abilities Playground. He loves bowling, horseback riding, WWE and spending time with friends and family. His outlook on life is simply amazing. Almost never upset and always wants to help me around the home when he can.
Dear Aimee and Foundation and
all others involved,
I am thrilled and excited beyond belief to send you this packet.
You will find attached:
The application, My medical as the second sheet continuing the question regarding my health status. I have so many diagnoses I am sending the list per the last hospital stay in December, a copy of my 2019 increase to $2165.00 from Social Security Disability and a copy of my drivers license. Unfortunately, I have been unable to drive since 2007 (hopefully I will be able to take my license and drive again if I am Blessed with winning)
You will also find my daughter Jessica Griffith’s drivers license as well as her last 3 paystubs as we all live together. Her husband Jason Griffith would also be a driver, so you will find a copy of his drivers license too.
You will need to open the PDF’S to review them.
Thanking you all for reviewing my packet and if you need anything else feel free to call me on my home number
678 828 9536.
Thank you and God Bless
Kimberly
****AFTER SENDING I REALIZED THE APPLICATION WENT SEPARATELY. I AM SORRY FOR THE CONFUSION BUT I DID SEND ALL AND PROBABLY MORE THAT YOU REQUESTED. IF A PROBLEM WITH THE ATTACHMENTS PLEASE PLEASE LET ME KNOW A.S.A.P.
GOD BLESS
KIMBERLY
A precious lady, Ms. Rosynek, was busy working on trimming her backyard shrubbery as she always did – working on her impeccably manicured yard. She was on a step ladder attempting to reach a high brand, when she tumbled over her fence severely injuring her spinal code and paralyzing her from the neck down – she waited for 3 hours for someone to find her – all the while calling out. She’s been through surgery and has the partial use of her hands somewhat yet utilizes the wheelchair at all times for mobility. She lost her car, home, beloved dogs, etc. and is now living in an assisted living center – looking for an apartment now for her own, which is challenging because most are not wheelchair accessible. Her company has supported her immensely and she works part time on Wednesdays and Fridays there. She also still has rehab at the Shepherd Spinal Center 3 times per week. She would love to become more Independent by driving an accessible conversion van. Why do I feel bad? I just spoke with her today and told her I had heard about your donating the van to someone you deem appropriate. YET, I did not know the deadline was February 7th – I thought it was in March. I have asked Ms. Rosynek to PLEASE apply anyway as she sounded so happy/hopeful when I spoke with her. This lady has stamina, is courageous, and after almost 2 years (this July) she is still receiving rehab 3 times a week at Shepherd – she is not giving up!! Please, please consider Ms. Rosynek for your conversion van for her. Thank you and God Bless You for all that you do and for your immense courage as well!
Hello Aimee,
My name is KJ Rosynek and I have admired you from the beginning of your new journey. Your positive and uplifting spirit is an inspiration to all. I have passed you in the halls of the Shepherd Center and have wanted to meet you but you have always been talking with other folks and I did not want to disrupt. I had an unfortunate fall from a ladder broke my neck and became a incomplete quad July of 2017. I have been blessed with living in Atlanta and having Shepherd’s help. I am a very independent gal that has never married or had any children. However, I am a very positive person and God is good some movement is back! I lost my house of 21 years, my car and had to find a home for my precious dachshunds kids. The money from my home helped pay for my Beyond Therapy at Shepherd but is now running out. I have also been blessed to still have my job of 14 years but can’t make more then $850.00 due to state regulations. Since I have become disable, I see how expensive it is for everything and I think it is sad. It cost me the majority of what I have to try to get back and forth to Shepherd 3-days a week and work 2-days a week. I usually do not go anywhere on the weekends because I can’t afford transportation. My friend told me about this contest today, but I see I am too late. Thank you for listening to my story and I really hope to see you again at Shepherd.