Local Advocate Fundraising To Buy Wheelchair-Accessible Van
Local Advocate Fundraising To Buy Wheelchair-Accessible Van
Posted
Jackie Gorski-
Local Advocate Fundraising To Buy Wheelchair-Accessible VanA local college senior and advocate started a campaign to raise money for a wheelchair-accessible van to gain more independence.
Mason Metzger, 22,?Warsaw, is trying to raise $45,000 for the wheelchair-accessible van. He started the fundraising campaign about three weeks ago. He hopes to purchase a 2021 Toyota Sienna with a BraunAbility conversion. As of Friday afternoon, he has raised over $25,000.
Metzger was diagnosed with Spastic Cerebral Palsy, a neurological condition resulting in muscle stiffness and impaired mobility, when he was a year old. People with cerebral palsy need assistance with their activities “related to daily living because of the challenges that come along with.” Each person’s case with the disease is different, Metzger said, as some people can walk, while others are wheelchair-bound. Some people with the disease have problems talking or holding their head up.
“It just varies based on the person,” Metzger said.
Metzger said he searched for grants to cover the vehicle portion of the costs. Vocational Rehabilitation Services covers the majority of the costs related to the costs related to converting the van and other adjustment equipment, but doesn’t provide money for the vehicle itself. The organizations Metzger has talked to doesn’t provide grants directly to individuals.
The reason he started the fundraiser is because he isn’t able to cover the costs of the vehicle himself. He did find one grant from the Help Center in Warsaw.
The vehicle would have a ramp so he could get into the vehicle and controls so he could operate the vehicle, he said.
To donate to the campaign, visit Mason's Mobility Van Fund on GoFundMe. For additional information, visit Metzger's website or send him an email at Mason@masonmetzger.com.
He said the van will give him more independence by allowing him to drive himself to speaking events and serve his community in many ways.
He has been a motivational speaker since 2014.
Back in seventh or eighth grade, when he was a student at Edgewood Middle School, Warsaw Community Schools began their current mission statement, Metzger said. He was listening to a presentation and recognized after the presentation what his mission in life was. Metzger was put in a position by WCS staff to tell his story.
Throughout high school, he traveled throughout Indiana to speak. Metzger also spoke in Tulsa, Okla., for the Christ in Youth Conference in 2015 and 2016.
In January 2017, Mason spoke on the Indiana House of Representatives floor after a resolution was adopted in his honor, according to a provided news release.
He is obtaining a bachelor’s degree in communications from Indiana Wesleyan University, with plans to graduate in the spring.
His research for his communications degree has focused on Universal Design, which applies to various industries, such as education, healthcare and business. Universal Design focuses on making environments and experiences, including learning experiences, accessible to everyone in the first place, with only minor adaptations on a case-by-case basis, he said.
He said his public speaking platform has blossomed into advocating for other people.
Metzger hasn’t cemented what his future plans are yet. He plans to continue his speaking and consulting career and find a route that allows him to use his skills. One of the options he is considering is a master’s degree, or possibly even a Ph.D., in organizational leadership or healthcare administration. Another option is to partner with vocational rehabilitation services to pursue self-employment.
Friday, he also said he thought of possibly advocating on the federal level.
Metzger has served as a member of the board of directors for Forte Residential Inc. and Forte Home Health Care Inc. since April 2018. In February 2019, Metzger received an international award from the Council for Exceptional Children in the category of self-advocacy, according to a provided news release.
In college, he had nursing students that provided personal care through Forte Residential Inc. and Forte Home Health Care Inc. Being on the board is a cool opportunity because it allows him to give the directors and management team a perspective of someone who received their services. It has allowed him to further develop his leadership skills.
Metzger is a digital ambassador for the Riley Children’s Foundation. In January, Metzger began serving on the Indiana Assistive Technology Act Project Advisory Council at Easter Seals Crossroads. The goal of the project is to educate communities on the importance of assistive technology and other topics that impact individuals with disabilities throughout Indiana.
Other things on Metzger’s five-year plan is writing a book. The book is still in the development phase, but the core subjects of the book will be leadership, faith and his philosophy of how to overcome disability with a positive attitude.
