Marshall, a young Parksville house physician and Vancouver Island University scholar, was thrilled this week to take possession of his fresh ride, a 2022 Toyota Sienna hybrid .
The avant-garde, picked up Monday from Island Mobility in Victoria, will help open doors and aid with his many future goals, according to Marshall.
Reading: New $90K van ‘opens doors’ for ambitious Vancouver Island University student – Comox Valley Record
I ’ ve been honoured to have shared his story previously in this quad. Marshall has spastic quadriplegia cerebral palsy, which requires 24/7 concern. He was born at 26 weeks, weighing good more than two pounds. He didn ’ t leave the hospital until he was 2 ½ months honest-to-god .
The cerebral palsy means his muscles will continue to tighten and contract his entire animation, leaving him in constant pain .
so far he continues to set an exemplar for us all with his favorableness, quest for learning and desire to assist others .
‘ Vinnie ’ is short for ‘ Vincent Van Gogh ’ ( “ see what we did there ? ” Marshall quipped ). The final price chase was just north of $ 90,000, and the purchase was made possible by some unvoiced solve from Marshall ’ s own inner circle, plus the generosity of others via fund-raise .
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“ It felt like running a marathon to get this, ” said Marshall, who had been using an older vanguard that was in need of meaning repairs .
“ This van purchase is the climax of then many people coming together to invest in me as an individual, induct in my future goals. It means the global, it opens doors. ”
Marshall is studying philosophy at VIU, with a finish of completing a doctor’s degree and becoming a teacher.
He said the van will make attending university on-campus much easier .
“ And with high boast prices, the hybrid function makes driving longer distances for family trips that a lot more accomplishable, ” said Marshall. “ And it ’ s so nice to have a functional ramp again. Get in, go and do things. even precisely for weekly casual grocery shops, being able to enjoy that is decent. ”
Marshall said the erstwhile van will be sold .
“ We ’ re working on fixing it up and will resell it and whatever we get from that will go into an account for future fundraiser, ” he said. “ A new wheelchair fund. ”
Marshall reiterated his gratitude for all the people who donated to his cause .
“ First of all, I know these words can seem like standard fare but thank you for choosing to be a share of this inaugural, choosing to be region of my team, ” he said. “ Some of you I ’ ve meet and talked with. Others gave anonymously. To everyone, both near and far, it means a set to see the exponent of the community. To give out of your hard-spent clock time and to help me give back to the community I love means so much. ”
READ MORE: Inspirational young Parksville man reaches fundraising goal in quest for specialized van
Vancouver Island Free Daily/PQB News editor Philip Wolf can be reached at 250-905-0029 or philip.wolf @ blackpress.ca.
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