By Jeff D Gorman, The Mobility Resource Barton and Megan Cutter have been sharing their inter-ability love story with the world, but it sure would be easier if they had a wheelchair accessible van. Raising funds for a van has been tricky, but the Cutters thought of an innovative idea: donate hours of volunteer work in exchange for donations to their van campaign. On the couple’s blog, Love Rolls On, Megan wrote a letter to the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA) to try to win a van during Mobility Awareness Month. She talked about falling in love with Barton, who uses a motorized wheelchair due to cerebral palsy. She also talked about the impending demise of the North Carolina couple’s non-accessible 1999 Honda Civic, which has soldiered on for a quarter of a million miles. The Civic needs “major engine repairs,” Megan said. “Not only that, but when they take it apart, because of its age and rust, there is no guarantee that they can put it back together.”
“Barton and I talked it over and realized that rather than throwing away money on a car that was already at its deathbed, this would be our best opportunity to find a way for an accessible vehicle that would allow Barton the independence he needed, and in turn allow us to continue and expand the work we do to empower others Unfortunately, Megan later shared the news that while they finished in the top 5 percent of the voting, the Cutters did not win a new wheelchair van. This caused the couple to brainstorm new ideas to raise the money, like trying to get on The Ellen DeGeneres Show or asking to be a spokesperson for NMEDA or BraunAbility. The Cutters are already speaking publicly near their home of Raleigh, N.C., in support of their book, Ink in the Wheels: Stories to Make Love Roll. Megan said that if she and Barton get a new van, they will spread their message “as far as we possibly can. Certainly across the U.S. and Canada, as Barton has a dream of driving all the way to California, stopping for speaking engagements all the way there and back.”
“Feedback from Ink in the Wheels: Stories to Make Love Roll has been very positive, especially from families impacted by disability,” she added. “There are few memoirs by married couples, and our story gives other families one example of a successful inter-ability couple. Our vision is to impact as many families as we possibly can, fostering a belief of inclusion and possibility, as tools for success.” Both Cutters work with people of all abilities. Megan is a writer and editor who puts on creative writing and expression workshops. Barton is a professional leadership and life coach, specializing in youth leadership. “He has a passion for supporting youth, families, and professionals in developing sustainable relationships that foster inclusion and engagement for everyone involved,” Megan said. Barton and Megan speak on communication, developing healthy relationships, inclusive leadership, personal empowerment and tips for dating and intimacy. Barton has also developed DisAbled Protection, a self-defense curriculum for those of any ability, and the Cutters teach safety and awareness classes together.
In fact, they met in a martial arts class. They hope the GoFundMe drive will help them spread an empowering message of what people with disabilities can accomplish far beyond their hometown. “This is our mission in life: to support youth, adults and families as they navigate this journey, breaking down barriers and stereotypes in the process,” Megan stated in her open letter to NMEDA. The Cutters volunteer for Reed and Feed, Raleigh City Farm and their local chapter of Habitat for Humanity. They will donate an hour of their time to one of these organizations in exchange for a $50 donation to the GoFundMe account. Megan asked in her letter: “Who asks a young girl or boy with a disability who they want to be when they grow up? Our vision is to let children, families, parents and adults dream again.” This post originally appeared on The Mobility Resource blog.BALLWIN, Mo. (KMOX) – Last week, it was a brand new house courtesy of the Gary Sinise Foundation.
Now, injured Ballwin police officer Mike Flamion will be the recipient of a specially-designed, wheelchair accessible van from Jay Wolfe Toyota on Manchester Road in Ballwin. Southern Bus and Mobility of Valley Park undertook the conversion — their general manager is Marcel Huels. “With the push of a button, the ramp will lower and allow 56 inches of clearance for a loaded wheelchair to enter the van and pull up to the co-pilot position, so that he can sit next to the driver,” Huels explained to KMOX. Lori Kelling, president of the West St. Louis County Chamber of Commerce, said the idea came together with a lot of cooperation across the community, and they ended up raising more than the $53,000+ needed to purchase and convert the 2016 Toyota Sienna. “What we’re going to do with the rest of the money left over is give it to the Gary Sinise Foundation for them to do the house,” Kelling said. Flamion thanked all of those responsible for the van donation via a live Skype feed from the Colorado hospital where he’s undergoing treatment.
Among those on hand for the announcement was Ballwin Police Chief Kevin Scott. “It’s beyond words,” Scott said of the ongoing generosity the entire St. Louis community has shown his injured officer. “I mean I can’t even describe…I’ve never seen anything like this. And I told Mike yesterday, I said, ‘You are a true hero in this community.'” Scott also revealed that the Flamions will be returning to this area from Colorado the week before Thanksgiving. They’ll have a temporary home provided for them until their new house from the Gary Sinise Foundation is finished sometime next year. (TM and Copyright 2016 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2016 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.) Follow us on Twitter | Like us on FacebookWith a variety of new and used wheelchair-adapted vehicles available, VMI can accommodate almost any wheelchair user.