- My name is Gerald Von Bargen, and my lifelong friend was diagnosed with Parkinson’s about 10 years ago and is now to the point that he can no longer walk. It’s been a slow, painful process, but we are now both 69 years old. He is not married and doesn’t have anyone but me to help him. I’m having trouble myself, so I help him as much as I can because I live close by, but he lives alone now.
- I understand that he isn’t going to get better, but I would really like to add some enjoyment to the time that he has left! I would like to get him a 4-wheel electric on/off-road vehicle so that he could go shopping and hopefully fishing and enjoy the great outdoors with me. I have a vehicle that I could use to transport it to places like the river and the beach, etc., rather than being stuck in his home for the rest of his life. He could also ride it over to my place as I’m really his only friend so that we could socialize sometimes.
- The vehicle is called a Coyote, which I think would be better than a wheelchair because it’s electric and 4-wheel drive with suspension. He can’t afford it, and he keeps falling and injuring himself. He’s got bruises on top of bruises, and he just broke his hand, so I’m really terrified that something really bad is going to happen. I’m trying to figure out a way to get him around inside the house, but it wouldn’t allow him to get outside, which would really enrich the time he has left!
- We are not rich by any means, but I can still work enough to help him. However, I’m just not getting any younger either and have my own health issues. All I can say is that he is and always has been a good person, never in any trouble, and deserves more than confinement for the rest of his life. With this, I could take him places that he could otherwise not go.
- In closing, I would like to thank anyone that can do a little to help toward my goal. Thank you, Jerry vB.