The family of a twelve year old girl is fundraising to cover the cost of a wheelchair lift for their van.
Twelve year old Jenna Oeste lives with spina bifida and hydrocephalus.
She’s paralyzed from the waist down and needs help getting in and out of her wheelchair.
Her mother said it’s becoming harder to lift Jenna into their family van.
“We’re concerned for our safety, my husband and mine, that we’ll injure our backs,” said Marsha Oeste.
The Oestes applied for government funding, but were told their case is low priority and they would be put on a waiting list.
Marsha Oeste said that list can mean a year or more wait.
When she found out the cost of a lift, she realized the family needs help to afford it.
“Just the lift can cost from $18,000 to $29,000,” said Oeste.
The family held a pizza party, handed out flyers donated by a friend and started a Go Fund Me to help raise that money.
Oeste said the lift provides more than just mobility for her daughter.
“Just amazing for quality of life for her, to have that and be able to go wherever she wanted to without being concerned for safety,” said Oeste.
Ultimately Oeste wants the government to provide more support for children with disabilities, and increase their quality of life.
Until then she’s grateful for support from family, friends and community.
