We were really excited to find a cheap van that would suit us, as the seats could fold up in the back which meant that Noah could stay in his chair and have the whole back part of the van to himself. When a nurse at the hospital found out we were buying a van, she was so lovely and came around and asked us if we would like some money to put towards getting some ramps and tie downs, as they had done some fundraising for a little boy who had a brain tumor, and had extra money left over. They were looking for a 'nice family' to give the extra money to and they had trouble finding one, so we were their next bet! ;)
We are so grateful for them doing that for us as it meant we could just push Noah up the ramps and into the van and leave him in his wheelchair while we were driving. It made out life SO much easier...that was until the last year or so when he grew so much bigger and it was getting harder and harder to push him up the ramps safely.
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Not long after his fitting for the new chair Nan passed away. We were really sad that Nan was no longer here, but glad that she was with Pop but with the sad news, we also got some amazing news as a family. My Dad and Uncles and Aunty decided that Nan (and Pop) would want us to have their van that they used to get out and about in. I have been putting off blogging about it for a while, as it's still not official with all the legal side yet, but I have been reading my new friend Becky's blog about giving Ben's van to another friend of ours - Junior and Heidi. Heidi has been saying how she is feeling in awe that someone could show so much kindness and I know exactly how she is feeling.
To be given such a huge gift that is going to literally change your life is overwhelming. Saying 'thank you' doesn't seem enough and you know you will never be able to repay someone for such an amazing gift, but it really has changed our lives and made our lives so much easier. Before I would actually dread having to take Noah to school or out anywhere as it was getting so hard to get him into the van and my back was really starting to feel it. Now I'm never worried about having to go out on my own as it's so easy to get him into the van, as it has an automatic lift which means there is no more strain on my back and it is a lot safer for Noah, as there is no risk of him tipping off the ramps.
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Thank you so much to our extended family for their kindness and generosity in giving us Nan's van. It's overwhelming when something so amazing happens in your life. It has blessed us in so many ways. We now have two vans so we are officially a 'two van family' which means we don't have to buy a new car just yet which was going to be hard with building a new house.
We know how you are feeling Heidi and Junior and are so glad that you get to benefit from using Ben's van too. I know Ben will be smiling over you as you go out and about it in, and hope that it brings some comfort to Becky and Steve to know that it's gone to a very deserving family.
I was SOOO pleased when i found out that you had been given the van that i cried and cried!!!!
ReplyDeleteI am SO happy that you guys have it now, it makes it so much easier to take Noah places :) It really didn't seem to take very long to put him in the other day when i saw you do it- such a blessing.
You are a family that really deserves a blessing like that.
It is lovely what Becky is doing for Junior- sooo lovely.
Oh and i would have never have thought to photoshop out the number plate on your van before blogging the picture- nice one :)
That's brilliant and must be SO much easier!
ReplyDeleteOkay, I'm just about to leave on my roadtrip this morning and you made me CRY! What a beautiful post. Thanks Lisa and what a HUGE blessing you have received. Love you guys!
ReplyDeletesuch a wonderful blessing Lisa, loved seeing Noah in the van.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your kind words, we are thrilled about getting Ben's van and can't wait to meet Becky.
What a lovely post. I'm so happy you got Nan & Pop's van. It was really nice to read how much difference it's made. I can't believe you're out and about more than before! It seems you've always done so much and it's hard to imagine that you're fitting more in!
ReplyDeleteIt couldn't have gone to a nicer family. And the fact that you are so humble about it, shows you deserved it.
ReplyDeleteOh what a tender post! It's humbling to receive such tender mercies, and I know that you are the sort that blesses others right back!
ReplyDeleteWhat a blessing! You and Heidi are both very lucky, obviously very loved people. :)
ReplyDeleteWe're wrangling the same situation here, and it sucks.