The Carter Family

A 2026 Accessible Van Giveaway Recipient – Victor’s Story

MDFF’s Accessible Van Giveaway Program is a proven-model investment with transformational potential at the family level. For the past decade, the program has demonstrated life-changing results for recipient families. Transportation is expensive, but accessible transportation costs a great deal more. Financial assistance for Hoosier families with muscular dystrophy needing accessible transportation and modifications to their homes greatly enhance their quality of life. Accessible transportation removes barriers that might otherwise prevent a family from moving safely, participating fully in the community, or maintaining independence.

MDFF has funded 22 vans in the last ten years (with two more still to be given in our 2026 cycle) and have seen transformative, life-changing benefits for the families to whom the vans were awarded.

Victor and his family are one of our 2026 accessible van winners, and they received the keys to their large transit van at our Mobility Gala: Retro Rewind. This van is made possible by the Thomas P. and Sondra D. Sheehan Charitable Foundation, a supporting organization of Hamilton County Community Foundation. We are very grateful for the support! We could not give away vans without the support of our community partners.

In Erica’s own words in their van application: “We are truly at a loss as to what to do next. Securing a wheelchair-accessible vehicle would not just be a convenience; it would be life-changing. It would remove the immense stress of transportation, ensure his safety, and allow him to live with more dignity and independence.”

We are grateful that we get to be a part of helping to change the lives of the Carter family through giving them an accessible van!

Looking to learn more about MDFF’s Accessible Van Giveaway? Go to our webpage here.