TURTLE TRANSPORT
Three years ago, Katia's grandma Gail started to bake loaves of bread in the shape of a turtle and sell them to raise money for us to acquire a van that would fit us and be able to be modified for Katia's travel. This 'Turtle Transport Fund' has raised $2000 from various donations!
At the time Katia (nickname for Kataryna), was not yet able to sit up to travel, still having her hips locked up so that she could not bend them. Her spine was rounding in her wheelchair and as her scoliosis has progressed, she could not sit long without pain. So she has continued to lay on a bench in a van to travel.
In October 2019, after more than a year of planning and preparation, Katia had bilateral hip surgery and his now sitting at 50 degrees bend at the hip and trying slowly for more! We have been looking at different vehicles that have enough head space for us to care for her as well as space for maneuvering of the chair, her chair lift and our other family members. She will need a seat next to her or within reach to help her with airway clearance when she needs it. She will need a bench for diaper changes and rest from a sitting posture if the travel is longer and the floor must be modified to accommodate her chair with tie downs.
At the time Katia (nickname for Kataryna), was not yet able to sit up to travel, still having her hips locked up so that she could not bend them. Her spine was rounding in her wheelchair and as her scoliosis has progressed, she could not sit long without pain. So she has continued to lay on a bench in a van to travel.
In October 2019, after more than a year of planning and preparation, Katia had bilateral hip surgery and his now sitting at 50 degrees bend at the hip and trying slowly for more! We have been looking at different vehicles that have enough head space for us to care for her as well as space for maneuvering of the chair, her chair lift and our other family members. She will need a seat next to her or within reach to help her with airway clearance when she needs it. She will need a bench for diaper changes and rest from a sitting posture if the travel is longer and the floor must be modified to accommodate her chair with tie downs.
The vehicles that can accommodate this are the Sprinter van or the Transit van with a mid raised roof. If modifications will require $15-25,000, we would want to have a newer van with lower mileage so that it could last longer before it would have to be done again.
There are some grants that may pay up to $10,000 toward these modifications that Katia may be eligible for. With the purchase price of a low mileage Sprinter or Transit van (prob 12 passenger length) and then the modification costs, it seems like an insurmountable goal to us. We know from the beginning of Katia's story though, that its not hard for her Heavenly Father.
Because there have been some people who have asked us if they could help us to try and obtain this transportation, we have posted this information.
The Olivia Kay Foundation, a not for profit organization in Michigan that exists to help children with severe multiple impairments, has graciously offered to receive donations for Katia's van fund through gifts sent for that purpose to them. This means that she can receive 100% of any monies allocated to her through the foundation, and all donations are tax deductible to U.S. donors. There must be a reference on the check that it is for Kataryna Russell Handicapped Van. I believe a check might be the only way to designate it for her as I do not think that there is a way to allocate a donation to Kataryna if donating through the webpage of Olivia Kay Foundation. There, the money will be used for the Foundation's other helpful projects but just not a van for Katia.
The address for donations is:
Olivia Kay Foundation
6501 S. Loomis Rd.
DeWitt, MI 48820
phone 989.224.2003
and noted where you would like it designated.
Our address (if preferred, but is not tax deductible):
Gordon and Heather Russell
8894 Pigeon Point
Vermontville, MI 49096
You can also give via the "Donate" button below.
We are very excited that Katia can now see the world right side up instead of sideways, and that she can travel with greater comfort while being secured in a vehicle instead of laying on a bench, unsecured.
Thank you for being a part of this journey with us!
Because there have been some people who have asked us if they could help us to try and obtain this transportation, we have posted this information.
The Olivia Kay Foundation, a not for profit organization in Michigan that exists to help children with severe multiple impairments, has graciously offered to receive donations for Katia's van fund through gifts sent for that purpose to them. This means that she can receive 100% of any monies allocated to her through the foundation, and all donations are tax deductible to U.S. donors. There must be a reference on the check that it is for Kataryna Russell Handicapped Van. I believe a check might be the only way to designate it for her as I do not think that there is a way to allocate a donation to Kataryna if donating through the webpage of Olivia Kay Foundation. There, the money will be used for the Foundation's other helpful projects but just not a van for Katia.
The address for donations is:
Olivia Kay Foundation
6501 S. Loomis Rd.
DeWitt, MI 48820
phone 989.224.2003
and noted where you would like it designated.
Our address (if preferred, but is not tax deductible):
Gordon and Heather Russell
8894 Pigeon Point
Vermontville, MI 49096
You can also give via the "Donate" button below.
We are very excited that Katia can now see the world right side up instead of sideways, and that she can travel with greater comfort while being secured in a vehicle instead of laying on a bench, unsecured.
Thank you for being a part of this journey with us!