WILMINGTON — When Davey Bartlett was 15, he fell and broke his neck. The accident left him a paraplegic, dependent on a wheelchair and – even more so – a custom van for transportation. After 20 years, countless repairs and several accidents, that van is falling apart.
For Bartlett, losing the van would mean losing his freedom – and the freedom of his friends, who also deal with disabilities and rely on Bartlett for transportation. Although insurance will cover the installation of a wheelchair lift, a new van alone would run Bartlett close to $50,000. Between his job and a meager Social Security disability check, Bartlett can’t afford it.
But his friend, a young woman named Danielle Boisse, is determined to make it happen.
“When you’re in a situation like Davey’s, you’re bound. You’re bound to the chair. You can’t call an Uber, even if you could afford it. Without the van, Davey’s a prisoner,” Boisse said. “This van is his only freedom. The same for his friends.”
Bartlett and Boisse met as neighbors seven years ago, when Boisse’s dog took a liking to Bartlett.
“Cooper loved to jump up in my lap and go for a ride,” Bartlett said. “So, Danielle and I became friends.”
Even seven years ago, Bartlett’s van was in rough shape. But Boisse’s seen it deteriorate even more.
“At this point, it’s kind of scary to drive. The speedometer will go out, the whole thing shakes if we go over 35 miles per hour, it’s been rear-ended and side-swiped. The check engine light has been on for years,” Boisse said.
Bartlett added, “Don’t forget the starter. The solenoid or something went out, so we had a friend rig up something. It was less expensive that way, and it kind of works. It works most days.”
Constant repairs tax Bartlett’s meager income, Boisse said.
“He gets about 700 dollars a month (from disability),” Boisse said. “It’s crazy. It’s just not possible. I don’t know how, as a society, we can let another citizen down like that.”
Bartlett said his disability income is adjusted annually; he gets about an extra $12 every year. Bartlett also works as a handyman at Island Time, a day-care facility in Carolina Beach.
“I’ll clean bathrooms, or help them with Internet stuff, whatever they need,” Bartlett said.
Bartlett’s church – Liberty Ministries – has also helped to keep the van running. But, as Boisse pointed out, the vehicle is at the breaking point “nearly everywhere.” Even cranking the engine in the morning has become a nervous ritual.
“We worry about being able to get Davey’s friends to work. I worry about Davey getting to work,” Boisse said. “Every morning, it’s touch and go.”
Boisse has been tirelessly working to raise funds for a new van. Through a GoFundMe page, Boisse’s “The Davey Project” has been able to raise over $10,000. It’s a considerable amount of money, but Boisse has a way to go.
“People have said I should get a used van, which I’ve thought about, but the thing is Davey is going to need this vehicle for the rest of his life,” Boisse said. “So, if we get a van that’s a little older, then he’s going to have to turn around and go through this again that much sooner.”
It has been a lot of work, but Boisse’s never thought about quitting.
“How could I? Davey’s literally the nicest, most humble, sweetest person I’ve ever met,” Boisse said. “How could I not help him?”
Bartlett said he’s “very grateful” for that help. If the project is successful, he hopes to be able to continue working, giving rides to his friends and going to church. And maybe, Bartlett said, take a vacation.
“I don’t mean anything crazy. Like a trip to Myrtle Beach or something. I don’t think I’ve ever really had a vacation,” Bartlett said. “Well, there was one time. We went to King’s Dominion (a theme park in Virginia). But I wasn’t able to ride any of the rides. Because of my neck, and insurance reasons, I guess.”
Anyone interested in helping “The Davey Project” – or with information about an affordable van – can reach Danielle Boisse through the GoFundMe page. (Boisse said she’s reached out to some local auto dealerships but – as of now – she hasn’t heard anything back.)
Send comments and tips to Benjamin Schachtman at ben@localvoicemedia.com, @pcdben on Twitter, and (910) 538-2001.
