A Salmon Arm family was deeply moved by having been chosen to receive a free wheelchair accessible van.
Connie Phillips, daughter Helena and son Jon were handed the keys to the van, a 2002 Dodge Town and Country, on Thursday, Feb. 20.
"I felt really grateful that we were chosen because I know there鈥檚 probably a lot of families in need that this could be life-changing for," said Connie. "This just helps our family immensely."
The van was given to the Phillips by Jeff McSweeney, the owner of Vernon-based NOW (North Okanagan Wheelchair) Shuttle, which provides transportation solutions for individuals who require wheelchair accessibility.
McSweeney purchased the van, complete with wheelchair ramp, intending to add it to his fleet. However, after learning the vehicle was too old to be certified for commercial use, he came up with another idea.
"The idea came to me to just give it away to a needy family because this business has been very good to me and I just wanted to give back," said McSweeney.
In December 2024, McSweeney put word out about the giveaway, inviting people to write him and share their story. Of about 20 responses, the one that got his attention was from a Salmon Arm family who, at the time, were at Vernon Jubilee Hospital.
"I read the letters and went to visit this family in the hospital鈥� and it was just a sad, heart-wrenching story," said McSweeney.
The Phillips learned they'd been chosen to receive the van a couple months ago, but only just received it. After their time in hospital in Vernon, the family spent another six weeks at BC Children's Hospital in Vancouver, receiving care for Helena who was diagnosed last year with a functional neurological disorder.
"It's where your brain is just not sending the signals or receiving the signals from the body," explained Connie, likening it to multiple sclerosis. "Except it鈥檚 not fatal and it doesn鈥檛 necessarily get worse. It basically just stays the same, and they said even if we can get the brain talking to the legs and get her moving, she can have flare up and鈥� be right back at the same place where she is now."
Connie said her daughter showed no symptoms until becoming ill in October 2023.
"She was just sleeping and having a hard time from recovering from something, and then when she recovered, she just kept falling all the time while walking," said Connie.
Connie and Helena spent three weeks in Penticton where Helena received intensive physical therapy. Connie said by then, Helena couldn't stand and started using a wheelchair. However, Helena did not regain her mobility and, in October 2024, the family went to Children's Hospital for more answers. This is where the received the diagnosis and learned it is a lifelong condition.
"She鈥檚 willing to keep doing what she needs and she鈥檚 trying to make her life as normal as possible," said Connie of Helena, who turned 18 last September. "She just wants to be able to go back to doing the things that she used to do, she wants to graduate high school and still wants to get a part time job. She still has the same goals and still has the drive to do those. It just looks different now."
Connie said she's proud of her daughter for staying positive, and of her son Jon, who has gone out of his way to support his sister.
"He鈥檚 in Grade 11 and he has just stepped right up and has been such an amazing brother to her and no complaints 鈥� just whatever she need he tries his best to be there for her," said Connie, noting how despite missing a lot of school time Jon has kept up his grades.
McSweeney said it was an emotional experience, handing over the keys to the van to the Phillips, and that he knew he'd made the right choice.
"They were so in need and it was kind of emotional for me to be able to help somebody," said McSweeney. "It changed their life, literally, that van changed their life."
For Connie, the van will help with trips around town and to future medical appointments. For Helena, it's a means of moving forward towards her goals and her independence.
"We did some accessible sports down on the coast and I know Helena is excited to do accessible wheelchair racing here in April if she鈥檚 well enough," said Connie. "I can take her to school. I can take her on activities she used to do, I can take her on family outings鈥� It lets us do things we used to be able to do."
