Highlighting a Recipient Family: Jett Rhodes

Jett Rhodes was born with brain cancer, but doctors didn’t find it until he was five years old. His mother Theresa said the cancerous tumor caused severe hydrocephalus, or fluid in the brain, which led to moderate to severe brain damage. He underwent many surgeries and chemotherapy, leading to a number of health conditions. Jett is now in his early 20s and is a quadriplegic, so he cannot walk, talk, or sit upright. Jett has scoliosis and a feeding tube, and he is entirely dependent upon his mother for all of his care. 

At the end of 2021, Theresa and Jett Rhodes received a wheelchair van from All Things Possible. Their lives haven’t been the same since. 

Theresa shared that Jett sees over 20 doctors and specialists, leading them to three or more appointments each week. Prior to receiving their van, Theresa was relying on Medicaid transportation, which either didn’t show up or had to take them to appointments very early, leaving them to wait for hours before and after each doctor’s appointment. Theresa also shared that sometimes the Medicaid wheelchair vans didn’t have good air conditioning, which sometimes caused Jett to experience heat stroke. 

Because of Jett’s medical conditions and their lack of a wheelchair van for so long, Jett rarely left his home or the hospital bed that is in the family’s living room. She said that moving him into a vehicle without a chair was impossible. It was simply not feasible, even for important appointments, and they had essentially been stuck at home constantly. 

After receiving the van, Theresa shared that she planned to take her son to see Christmas lights and maybe travel to a nearby town to see a movie. They looked forward to going on drives together as a family and enjoying quality time with each other. 

We recently followed up with Theresa, and when asked how the van changed her life, she said that life is so much better. She said it’s like a night and day difference between before they had the van and now. She said the van is so nice and runs so smoothly, and that it’s like Jett’s own little limousine. 

She talked about going on long drives down country roads, taking a trip to Christmas Town, and just enjoying the freedom of running to the grocery store or pharmacy whenever they need to. 

Theresa also talked about the independence, safety, and security the van has offered her family. She shared that when she was in Medicaid transport vehicles, sometimes she would be nervous about how fast the driver was going or about other vehicles driving unsafely near them. She said that now, she can simply slow down if she’s feeling nervous since she’s in control of the vehicle. She also mentioned that if Jett got sick during a drive before, she would have to tell the driver and ask him to pull over when he could. Now, she can simply pull the vehicle over and tend to her son. 

Theresa emphasized that the van has radically changed her and Jett’s lives and that she is so grateful to All Things Possible. When asked what she would tell other people about the organization, she said, “They are all very loving and accepting and kind. They are set apart; they’re different. They have the love of the Lord in their hearts and it’s obvious.” Theresa shared that she felt true and genuine love and kindness from every individual at All Things Possible, and she knew that their love and acceptance were real.

If you want to learn more about All Things Possible or get involved in our mission to provide wheelchair vans to those in need, contact us or donate now.