(The Short Version)
My name is Michael O’Connell, and I have Muscular Dystrophy, and I drive a very old handicapped-equipped van that’s just about to fall apart. Unfortunately, my physical needs require me to have a certain kind of van with a certain kind of (very expensive) system, so getting another one of those is my only option for continued driving.
My current van (don't sneeze on it. It WILL fall apart...)
New vans with this system (the “Scott System”) are running at about $90,000. However, the company that builds these vans has a not-very used one available, right now, for right about $50,000.
Oops. I don’t actually HAVE $50,000…
So what I’m doing is taking a wild chance and throwing up a web page to see if people might be willing to help me out with it. There are all kinds of sites out there asking for (and getting) money for all kinds of reasons, and I figured maybe helping a guy out getting a special van that he needs to continue working and living independently might seem like a pretty good reason, too. If I can even get part of the way there, I might still be able to make this happen. So while I don’t normally ask for help, as a rule? I’m asking in this case. Figure I’ve got nothing to lose by trying.
The available van...almost 20 years newer, with 140,000 less miles. And blue flames, no less...
So if you feel like throwing in a few bucks to help out a person you’ve never met, you could end up making a big difference in that person’s life. I would be very, very grateful for anything you can do. If you’re willing, just use the PayPal link (note that you don't need a PayPal account to use it...major credit cards will work!). And if you want more detailed information, just click the link below to go to the main page and read all about it.
Either way, I thank you for your time, and for dropping by to hear me out. A very good day to you.
Michael O’Connell
oconnellmd@aol.com