Biography

Hi, my name is Jeannette Colon and my disabled daughter, Shirleen M. Ortiz Colon, 18, who is in need of a wheelchair accessible van.

Shirleen got pneumonia last month and has been on machines at the hospital. Although she is slowly getting better, her lungs are severely damaged and scarred from previous pneumonias. If taken off the machines, Shirleen will not do well on her own. Her team of doctors at The Children’s Hospital in Connecticut and I have decided that her best chance for a longer life would be by having a tracheostomy to better receive oxygen directly to her lungs. As a result, this Wednesday 11th of November, Shirleen will be having her surgery. Now currently from Dec 1, 2021, she is in the Hospital for Special Care in the town New Britain Ct because she requires a 24hours nursing, we want to be ready with the correct vehicle when she get out

Shirleen already has many health issues, 14 to be exact now with the tracheostomy. To name a few that affects her day to day: Cerebral Palsy, Scoliosis, Mitochondrial Metabolism, Daily Seizures, Intellectual Functioning Disability and Congenital Hypotonia, etc. Because of this, Shirleen is unable to walk or talk. She is bedridden, uses a wheelchair, wears oxygen 24/7 and I’ve been her full-time mother and nurse all these wonderful years for her. Making me unable to get a job.

I currently have a van, but it is not wheelchair accessible. With the ventilator on Shirleen, it would not be safe to sit her down on the vans seat, as we have currently been doing. I have reached out to several foundations to possibly remodel my van, but they have informed me that the model and year of my van isn’t compatible for a remodeling because it is too old. Shirleen will be on a ventilator 24/7 and for me to take her to and from appointments would be with the correct and safe transportation.

Our goal is $40,000. I know, that is a lot of money! However, that is usually the average price for a wheelchair accessible van. I would like to pay it off and not have to worry about how my daughter will be transported around safely. If you could contribute, I would greatly appreciate it. If you cannot, please share our page, share Shirleen’s story. Thank you in advance for donating and/or sharing. May God Bless You.