A few months ago, Cam shared with me the state of his 1994 wheel-chair-accessible van. I suggested that someone experienced in such things should make him a GO FUND ME page. Well, a friend of his just did.

Next, I asked Ian and Amie if it would be OK for me to make a link on a post here to his GoFundMe.com page. Their response was, "...great idea..." so here it is.

Cam has been a Forum member for 10 years. He went to great lengths to be part of Axiom's 30th anniversary weekend in Dwight. The word "community" is used here quite often. Here's our chance to show we mean it.

Without a special van, Cam can't get to medical appointments, which I'm sure you can imagine are grueling, mandatory, and frequent. Needless to say, he won't be able to go anywhere.

Of course, any contribution is equally appreciated.

You're all very lucky that Ian and Amie OK'd this, or I was going to start a PM-blitzkrieg campaign that would have given YOU amnesia!

As Cam would say, "Linky:"

Cam's Wheelchair Accessible Van -GoFundMe

I know a thing or two about wheel chair accessible vans. They are very expensive. Imagine purchasing a vehicle and then having to spend $10,000 to $20,000 more. When it goes to the shop or you get hit, do you think you can just rent a car?

Walking and driving my car is something I rarely think about. I'm blessed to be able to do both. Let's help as much as we can.

Thanks so much, Bobby. And a big thanks to Ian and Amie.

Also, thank you very much to everyone that donates and/or shares the fundraising page. It's greatly appreciated!

There are many on the forum that don't know me or know about my disability. If anyone has any questions, feel free to ask.

Again, thank you very much.

Cam

Cam, are there any questions that are off bounds?

And thanks to Chris (Lampy) who edited it and made the link for me, and to Mark who also offered his assistance.

It's hands-down the best post I've ever had the opportunity to write.

Nah. You know me, dude; I'm an open book .



Oh. I didn't know. Thanks very much, Chris and Mark.

OK, now remember you said that I can ask anything!

Ready?

I'm going to install Windows 10 today on 5 different PCs, set them all up on a new network and install a Synology NAS with 36TB of drives. Do you think I'll be able to watch the Masters too, or is that too much multitasking?

Also, do you have any blueberries that I can have to put on my salad at lunch? I forgot to pick some up when shopping yesterday.

Oh, and can you diagnose a brake noise coming from the passenger-side rear wheel on my van?

Whew! I'm sure glad that you are open to all questions!

What are the Masters ?



I have some frozen organic ones in the freezer, that I use for smoothies. I just need to find some dry ice.



That's easy. The excess weight in the drivers seat is causing the rear axle to be unbalanced. Hey.... you asked .



Anything else? HEHEHE

Yeah, can you recommend treatments for my burn?

What's wrong with your bum?

It's sick. Hey-o!

For those interested, here's a video of a quadriplegic driving his van. He explains everything very thoroughly. He has the same dexterity and movement as I do. This setup is a dream for me because driving is, well, amazing. It greatly expands your independence. Unfortunately a vehicle with hand controls costs around $80k.

Linky.

Is this a competition? Because I gave more than Ken.

First - thank you very much, Peter.

Second - yes, it's a major competition.

As a side sad note.... This afternoon I found out that there's literally no organizations for adults that require assistance purchasing a van; there's lots for children though. I was told that the reason for this is a van is considered an extravagance rather than a necessity. Yup.... even organizations that *should* have a semblance of understanding about the importance that a vehicle plays in someone like myself having a quality of life. Without a van, I literally can't leave my small city. That means no doctors appointments, no more camping, no more concerts, no outings with friends and family ect. etc. etc. Sooooooooo frustrating hearing that "assistance groups" comprised solely of able-bodied people call a vehicle for a disabled person a luxury. Effing Eff.

Sorry. Rant over

If you get the van, can you please call it "Bernie Vanders", seeing as how it will have been brought to you through collective, socialist effort?

That's very apropos and clever, dude. I do prefer Mikhail Vakunin .

How many miles on that Dodge Caravan. Dodge should be very proud of what they accomplished with that vehicle. We need to highlight this van's longevity and get the story picked up internationally. Maybe Dodge could do a feature. Any suggestions for a hashtag?

There's only 180,000 kilometers (checked yesterday). The reason there's so few is because I've been bedridden more than I've been up. I also took VERY good care of it.

Thanks for your generosity and ideas, Chris.

#CamTough

Good one, dude.

Speaking of Cam, I had a nice stroll down memory lane today. I can't believe that was 7 years ago.

:-).

How is Teri anyway?

Doing really good. Married and living in Alberta. She has had her own travel agency business for a while now.

Teri's Facebook post on Wednesday really shook me up. She is an amazing person and friend.

"I am a traveler.

Every day I feel thankful for the opportunity to do what I love & to be able to share that passion with my friends & family.
If I were to list some "luxuries" in life, world travel would certainly be one of them (along with spa days, fancy cars & ridiculously overpriced gourmet chocolates - YUM!)

But what if someone told you that the simple act of leaving your house was a luxury? Running errands? visiting a friend across town? Seeing your doctor/ dentist?

For those of you who know me, you know that when I lived in Peterborough I worked as a PSW for a high level quadriplegic named Cam. Cam once bombed around town in a super luxurious ride *cough* a 1994 Caravan *cough* but now ... 22 years later ... is in need of a new, accessible van with a lowered floor (among other modifications) to accommodate his electric wheelchair.

Turns out - there is no funding available to Cam for the purchase of a new van. Turns out - having a van to get from one place to another is considered a "Luxury" & not a necessity ... yet, in this case, a van IS a necessity ... and an expensive one at that.

I do not often share the "Go Fund Me" links ... if you know me well, you know I've never shared one once, but this is something I feel really strongly about. PLEASE take a moment to share (and donate) to help Cam get the van that he needs. Every little bit helps & will help to make a HUGE difference in the life of someone super awesome. Yes ... SUPER awesome ... what's better than THAT?!"

Where's the "Like" button in this place?...

Thanks so very much for the donation, Scott. I really, really appreciate it.

You're quite welcome. I hope you get enough to get a new van.

Scott

Cam, is there a time limit?
I'd like to do something too but need to wait for a coming tax refund check.

No time limit, bud. And thank you very much.

Thank you very much for your donation, Matt! I appreciate it immensely!

Why not just get Cam's checking account routing #'s and have it direct deposited?

Now that right there is a great idea.

So what sort of wheels are you trying to buy with the dough? Going Ford, GM or Fiat?

If you'd up the request by 20x you could be trying to be the first electric wheelie behind a modified Lamborghini. Now that would be a sight to see.

That way he gets the extra 5% - 7.9% that gofundme is taking as a cut. But then again, if we can get the word out and people see the number going up then perhaps it would shift them towards giving.

CAM, you need to put up some more photo's. Take a look at some of the successful fundme pages with kids with no hair. Shave your head and show some photo's of you trying to get into the old beast.

Yeah. I really do want to post more photographs, but I don't have any. It took me a good while to find a decent sober picture of myself . I also thought about posting a video of me loading into it, but I'm bedridden, so that's a no-go. I'll take another look for some more pictures. At the end of the day, fundraisers for disabled children are more successful than ones for disabled adults .

Either a Dodge Caravan or Toyota Sienna. They only modify approximately five vehicles. Well, vans....

Cam, wouldn't it be cheaper to buy a hoist so that you can be strapped to the top of a station wagon?

At the end of the day, fundraisers for disabled children are more successful than ones for disabled adults.


Don't get discouraged. Look how much you have already overcome. The amount will keep growing even though it may grow slowly. No matter the pace, someday it will reach fruition and you will get a new van.

Or a bowl of fruit. Either way, it's a win!

LOL!



Thanks Lampy. I don't want to come across as egotistical, but it's frustrating emailing SCI organizations and different charities, but not hearing anything back.

Update posted for anyone interested.

Peace

Some great news...Getting radio exposure for my van fundraiser tomorrow morning! First at 6:50 a.m. by Fred on 102.1 The Edge, then around 9:30 a.m. on The Wolf.

Feeling extremely grateful for having such understanding, caring people willing to help.

Most righteous and excellent!

Got a call from our main TV news station on Monday to do an interview about my fundraiser (I asked to expand it beyond just me, and get Stephanie involved). They're running the story tonight. Here it is - linky .

Awesome, Cam!

Thanks, Marky .

Don't know how many people will care to see this because there hasn't been a any activity in this thread in a long time, but I want to post this quote I received a few days ago, so it provides some insight into what I'm facing financially to get a van. The following quote is to modify the most basic Dodge Grand Caravan (no rear heating/cooling, only two front windows open etc.), with the most basic modifications.

Thank you for you time.

Peace and love,

Cam

Its a shame it hasn't gone better.
Have you looked at a taller van, maybe a promaster or similar type?
Not sure what a guy could do from here, things have been pretty tight since the price of oil plummeted in 2014.

I've always believed the government needs to spend money more efficiently and provide more for those in greater need.

With any luck there will be a tesla type ownership program where vans can be scheduled/shared/called upon/rented as needed/etc. to help with the cost of purchase, maintenence, etc.

If I ever win the lottery...

I'll share again on Facebook.

Please keep this thread alive.

Thanks for the kind words and Facebook share, brwsaw.

Cam