My friend on welfare needs a car with a cerebral son?

Question

I am not sure where to start with this & am not sure where to go either. have a friend who is a single mom on welfare.Her son's name is Johnny & he has Cerebral Palsy.The father left her the minute he knew he didn't have a "perfect" son.Johnny has physical therapy 4 days a week & this mom is forced to take a taxi.The cost is $85.00 one way.She is on welfare so I am not sure how she manages.My family has done so much to help them but there'sonly so much we can do.Her son is her world I know she would be devastated if she could not continue his therapy because of transportation costs.How would I even begin to find her transportation for donation or close to no cost. My husband &I would be able to pay a little but not much at all. We have 3 children so we don't have money floating all over the place to spend on a car for my friend. Where would I even begin to help them with this matter? I run her all over the place in my carut with gas prices so high, I can't keep doing it. Any ideas?

Answer 1

call social services, and the Salvation Army, they can help!

Answer 2

Some cities provide public transport for people with disabilities, she would definitely qualify for that, so call public transport. United Way was suggested by someone, and that's a good plan as well.

Often local disability organizations would be the best way to go, we have a statewide one in our area, and it is a great way to find out who's getting rid of what, and if there are certain businesses who would donate. Johnny should definitely be on SSI, and probably SSDI, so that is additional income, if she hasn't contacted the social security office she should soon.

At the very least, she could call local news stations, in our area, there are always human interest stories on, and often it leads to a local business who will donate a car (title and all) or will offer to 'lease' it with no payments needed. One time, a family who's disabled son had just died saw a news piece and was able to donate for free the van that they were using.

Also try Craigslist or freecycle. It's unusual to get something as large as a car for free, but if one is listed and you were able to contact the owner, they might be willing to do so.

Answer 3

Wow. What a hand she has been dealt huh? And you have been a real trooper by understanding it and helping her with it, all while taking care of your own family.

Here are some things that may help her (some she probably already does):

1) The redcross offers cars free to almost free. Contact your local office (or the state office to see where the closest one is to you).
2) The salvation army helps with all sorts of items as well as has a list of helping orgs
3) The united way knows of many programs and transportation help
4) If the child has therapy, there is transportation help available in most areas. Contact the local hospitals (great source of info in the rehab unit or social services unit). Contact the state (and county if they actually are helpful) office for disabilities and ask what is available.
5) Contact local churches, find out who has the food bank and have her collect one per week. This will free up money for gas, electric, medicines, etc. some churches will deliver if transportation is a problem.
6) Sit down and write a letter in her behalf (for she is more then likely exhausted all of the time). Send it to all CP agencies and advocate groups. Send a copy to United Way, Salvation Army, Red Cross, your State Disability office, Public Advocates office (or whatever you can think of). Explain who you are, all of her contact info and exactly what you said here. Explain she needs help with transportation. Transportation is a HUGE issue for these cases, so I honesty think they will help.
7) Look online and see if and where there are local offices (even state) for CP.
8) That creep needs to help out too. Even though he left, since that child is disabled, he is supposed to pay child support for the rest of their lives (in most states). See if she has a child support order. Explain it is in the best interest of that child to get it. There is no place for pride, when it comes to our children. It helps nothing and no one. I would hunt him down like a dog.
9) There is a link I put here for the Child Support Calculator, just click on your state and enter the amounts. THAT is what he is supposed to be paying (ball park). His current expenses don’t matter, they don’t care about that.

One more thing; she will need you to do these things for her, and this help will be priceless. YOUR help is priceless. I will try and help in any way I can. Email me if you cant find what you are looking for. I will find it :)

Here are some links that may help. Just find their contact information on the sites (usually at the bottom of the pages, sides of pages or ‘contact’ button at top).

http://www.cerebralpalsysource.com/Resources/index.html
http://www.ucp.org/
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/cerebral_palsy/cerebral_palsy.htm
http://www.cerebralpalsy.org/
http://www.cerebralpalsy.org/cerebral_palsy_links_resources/cerebral_palsy_linksnres.html
http://www.singlemoms.org/info/main.htm
http://www.singlemotherresources.com/
http://www.angelfire.com/nj4/njcomputerchick
http://modestneeds.org/
http://freecycle.org/
http://www.wantedposters.com/deadbeats_usa_a_to_f.htm
http://www.deadbeatjustice.com/list.htm
http://www.divorcelawinfo.com/
http://www.divorcelawinfo.com/calculators.htm
http://www.divorcehq.com/deadbeat.html
http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/cse/
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/region2/index.html

http://www.supportkids.com/
http://www.supportcollectors.com/faq.php
http://sheknows.com/
http://www.co-abode.com/
http://singleparents.about.com/index.htm
http://www.secondharvest.org/
http://www.singlemom.com/

Answer 4

Try the Church. Catholic charities are also another good resource. I work at an auto auction and with this being the end of the year, alot of dealerships are willing to GIVE a car away because it is a tax write off that they need. Here is a link for the auto auction I work for. They have locations in ALL 50 states and someone in your area should be able to help. Just be prepared to be able to show medical proof of the disability because anywhere you go they are gonna ask or wanna see proof. Good luck and you are an awesome friend.

Answer 5

I know there are places or organizations that will help out people that needs rides.

I would tell your friend to call her local social services agency and ask them where to start.

since I am assuming that her son is some kind of disability pay or he should be then SSI should be able to find her a car. I have heard in some cases they are given to the parent for free.

Good Luck.

Answer 6

Check into various places like churches, etc. Also, look at bus routes, "park & rides", or even the possibility of car pooling. For example, if she can get a ride with someone who works in the area and then a ride home from them, even though it is an all day event, it sure beats paying $170 round trip in a cab.

Answer 7

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Answer 8

Try calling United Way