Mother and Daughter Need Help To Buy Valuable Transportation Reported by JoAnne Purtan Web produced by Jennifer DiDomenico
Erinne Williams is 6 years old and has Spinal Muscular Atrophy, a disease similar to Lou Gerhig's Disease. Children with her illness usually die of pneumonia. Erinne has had pneumonia 11 times, and has been hospitalized 16 times. Her mother credits her faith with getting her through. "I can honestly say I've never said 'why me, God?' I feel very special, very chosen to be her mom," Suzanne says. But lifting a child almost 60 pounds over and over takes it toll. Suzanne has had two carpel tunnel surgeries, and to complicate matters, her only car can't accommodate a wheelchair. "I don't have a vehicle to transport her in, at this point I borrow rides," Suzanne says. The single mother of three can't afford a van with a wheelchair lift. Her friends have held fundraisers, and so far, they've raised some $16,000. With 7 on her side, Suzanne is hoping to find some extra help. When a Health Team videographer heard of her need, he put her in touch with his neighbor Marie, who was looking to sell a van already equipped with a lift. Marie's husband had a rare cancer that left him paralyzed, leading to the purchase of the special van. He passed away a year ago. "I wanted it to go to the right person, someone who truly needed it," Marie says. Marie will sell the van to Suzanne for just what she owes on it, and the $5,000 lift she added goes for free. "His kids were his babies," Marie says of her late husband. "He loves kids and maybe someway, somehow, this is why it ended up this way." Suzanne is looking for help so that she can afford the van that she and Erinne need so much. If you'd like to help, you can make a deposit in Erinne's account #0270025628 at any Standard Federal Bank, or send checks to: SMA
Support Be sure to mention that your donation should go to Erinne's Fund.
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