Hello and Happy Disability Pride Month! My name is Nicole and I have started this GFM for Disability Pride Month to support my friend, Kyle Ankney. In a world where the cost of living is constantly rising and wages are stagnating, many of us are feeling the pinch. Now, imagine navigating these challenges while also living with a physical disability. This is the reality for my dear friend, Kyle Ankney. Kyle is a brilliant PR professional with over a decade of experience and a successful business. He's a passionate advocate for human rights and social justice, and a proud member of the disability and LGBTQIA+ communities. Kyle lives with physical disabilities resulting from Cerebral Palsy and relies on a power wheelchair for mobility. Despite his circumstances, Kyle has never let anything hold him back. He's freelanced in the Public Relations field for over a decade, partnered in a PR agency, and recently launched his own business. His work has amplified voices and messages that align with his core beliefs, with clients featured in Forbes, Elle, GQ, and many more. However, the barriers Kyle faces are significant. Kyle has extremely limited mobility and is dependent on others for most of his daily care, from transfers to dressing to bathing. Years ago, he moved into a converted bedroom of a home so that he could live independently, but the challenges don't stop there. Kyle relies on TOPS, a paratransit service South Florida, for transportation. But TOPS requires scheduling a day in advance, is often late, and has even resulted in severe injury for Kyle. He broke his hip in an accident and spent nine days in the hospital, which has made him hesitant to use the service. This lack of reliable transportation has left Kyle spending more time at home alone, limiting his ability to succeed in business or enjoy an outing with friends. The costs of disability are high and often hidden. An accessible home can add at least $175K to the cost of housing. A vehicle that accommodates a wheelchair can cost upwards of $95K. These costs, coupled with a lack of accessible transportation and housing, make achieving financial and career goals incredibly difficult. This doesn’t include the medical bills…did I tell you that Kyle is back in the hospital again. He was just in there a month ago for a long stretch…that’s time away from work and hospital bills are $$$$. As Kyle's former occupational therapist turned close friend, I've been wanting to start a campaign for Kyle for years, and he has finally agreed. I'm aiming to raise $175K (and hopefully more) to help level the playing field for Kyle. Here's how the funds will be used: Accessible Housing: The funds will help Kyle find adequate housing accommodations and cover the cost of any renovations needed to ensure his living environment is accessible, safe, and comfortable. If we raise enough, the funds might even be used for a down payment on a home of his own - a lifelong dream of Kyle's. Accessible Vehicle: A wheelchair-accessible vehicle will provide Kyle with the freedom and flexibility to be more independent, reducing the hassle and danger of relying on public transportation. It will also allow him to enjoy spontaneous outings with his significant other, friends, and family. Medical Expenses: The remaining funds will be used to help Kyle pay off existing medical bills and provide a cushion for future medical expenses. July is Disability Pride Month, and this campaign is about more than raising funds. We're raising awareness about the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities. I'm challenging you to think about our society's barriers and advocate for more inclusivity. By contributing to this campaign, you're not just donating money. You're investing in Kyle's future, empowering him to live a life of independence, and making a stand for disability rights and visibility. Please donate today, share this campaign, and join us in celebrating the resilience and determination of individuals with disabilities. Let's come together to support Kyle and others with disabilities who face insurmountable challenges. Thank you for your support. Together, we can make a difference.
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