An interview with Josh and Vanessa

The Mobilise Movement is all about raising funds for a new wheelchair accessible van for the Hoffmann family. Their beautiful daughter Jess has Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus and with school on the horizon next year the practicalities of transporting Jess to and from school each day is close to reality. We have thoroughly enjoyed partnering with this beautiful family to create some tees and totes to help with their goal of a new van and we're hoping you would also like to get on board.

We recently asked Josh and Vanessa a few questions about Jess and life after a new van, here's what they had to say.

What do you love about Jess?
Her happy nature, fun laugh, love of people and her super enthusiastic dancing!

What have been some of your favourite milestones for Jess?
The first day she stood up tall with the assistance of braces and a standing frame.
The day she got a Chailey Cart (a little go-cart that she could push the wheels to get around the house).
Her first steps in her RGO (Reciprocal Gait Orthosis) brace and walking frame as a 2 yr old
The day she started at daycare (Fit Kidz)
The day she got her first wheelchair.
The day she learned to write her own name.

The best thing about having two little girls is...

Seeing them play together; being able to re-use clothes.. especially pink ones! Having them play together when they first wake up in the morning; dancing together.

Tell us about the difference this car will make to your family.

It will be life changing! It will make it SO much easier to get out of the house and into the community to be involved in activities and connect with others.  One of the hardest things we find is the limited ability to get out and the isolation that comes with it.  The physical toll, on top of back injury, of just getting out of the house and into the car is such a huge barrier.  To wheel Jessica directly into the car, strap her in and away we go, would give both her and us a new level of freedom, and build in her sense of independence that she’s never had!!

Is this a challenge that other families with similar needs face?

ABSOLUTELY!! From the time Jessica was small, we have had conversations with medical professionals and social workers that say one of the biggest challenges to families is the expense and difficulty in affording a wheelchair accessible vehicle. I believe that there are many families out there that are isolated in their homes, partly due to the nature of their disabilities, but also due to the inability to get out without extreme effort. Having seen first hand the limiting factor this plays in our day to day life, we can only imagine what it is like for people and families with more severe disabilities! 

Where would you like to take the girls first in the new car?

Church....and then a family day out at Sydney Olympic Park!

Visit the facebook page to find out more about the Hoffmann family. www.facebook.com/mobilisethepeople 


We'd love you to support The Mobilise Movement and buy a tee or tote at www.amyjean.communitee.com.au. Or if tees and totes aren't your thing you can donate directly using the details below.