The Power of One

They say if you want to change the world, start with one act of kindness. If you can change one person’s life for the better, you’re well on your way to making the world a better place.

Here at All Things Possible, we’ve taken this to heart. When we first started, we felt confident that even one changed life was worth all the effort. We know that even the largest organizations, charities, and non-profits started with just one changed life, and that became a stepping-off point for more change and a larger impact.

Since we refocused our mission to gifting wheelchair vans to families in need, we have given away 25 vans total. In 2021, we gave away 10. Our goal is to give away 10 vans per year each year moving forward. That feels huge to us because we see the ins and outs of raising funds for that many wheelchair-accessible vehicles, but we realize 10 vans may not seem like a lot to an average onlooker.

One Van = One Family Changed

For each person that needs a wheelchair van, an entire family is impacted. Parents no longer have to move heavy kids in and out of regular vehicles, putting their own bodies and health at risk. Siblings no longer have to miss out on visiting grandparents or taking trips because it isn’t safe for their disabled family member to be in the car for too long. A wheelchair van can completely change the lives of the entire family, bringing about less stress, better transportation, and far more opportunities for the entire family.

Every van we’ve given away is hugely significant, not only to the families that receive them but also to us. Our board members have distinct memories of each and every van giveaway, keeping us motivated to keep raising funds and granting this incredible gift to more families.

We remember Barbara, a single mom of Tanner, a child born with cerebral palsy. Barbara had a very old wheelchair van with rusted-out floorboards, no AC, an unreliable ramp motor, and a sliding side door that often stuck. One summer, the door got stuck with Tanner inside. No one could help, and Tanner was in danger of overheating and having heat-related seizures. Barbara had to call the fire department to break the door and get Tanner out, and we were able to surprise her with a 2012 Honda Odyssey wheelchair van so they can now travel in safety.

We also think often of Kayla, who had severe traumatic brain injuries and therapy and medical appointments several times each week. Kayla weighed over 35 pounds, and her petite mother was struggling to get her in and out of the car safely to the point where it was becoming dangerous. We surprised Kayla and her family with a Chrysler Town and Country wheelchair van to help them.

With our 25 gifted vans, we have 25 stories of families whose lives were forever changed. We have 25 families who have shed tears over the struggles and stresses of unreliable transportation and unsafe traveling situations. We have 25 families who have dealt with the painful and difficult lifting of heavy kids, and the fear of what to do when they can no longer lift their children. We have 25 families who were given a sense of normalcy, relief, provision, and protection that they could not acquire on their own. We have 25 families who were given a solution to one of their greatest needs.

While ten vans a year or 25 over a few years may not sound like a huge number, it is massive when you consider all the lives changed because of those vans. We are honored to meet this incredible need in our community, and we look forward to providing more vans to more families in need over the next several years.