Community steps up to help get Troy family special van it needs

Van will help family transport boy with cerebral palsy safely, more easily

TROY, Mich. – When the Baker family took 13-year-old Jarrod Moore in five years ago, they knew life would not be easy.

"He has cerebral palsy and a seizure disorder, a vision disorder, a hearing disorder," said Angela Baker, Jarrod's now legal guardian.

Jarrod needs 24-hour care. Angela's husband, Gerald, was the only one who could lift Jarrod in and out of the car.

"We had an adaptive car seat that we would lift him into," Baker said. "Then you had to lift the wheelchair into the back. It was a lot."

The family needed a new van specifically designed for Jarrod, but they couldn't afford one on their own. That's when dozens of people and several non-profits stepped in.

"Miracles from Troy, the Troy Lions Club, St. Paul's United Methodist women from Rochester, Rochester High School class of 1959," she said. "That is just to name a few. They all helped out. We also held fundraisers."

Because of that help, the Bakers were able to put a down payment down for a specialized van. They then financed the rest and the MV1 was delivered last week.

Now the family can transport Jarrod much easier, and in a safer way.

"It alleviated some of our concerns of keeping him safe," Angela said. "It also allows him to go out more."

Which is good news for Jarrod because the 7th-grader loves to get out and hit the road.

Angela's mother can also use the van. She's had six stokes and is paralyzed on her right side.

The family contacted Local 4 as a way to thank those who helped.

If you'd like to help the family pay off the van, they set up a GoFundMe account.

Go to www.GoFundMe.com/6gks5s.


About the Author:

Jamie anchors sports coverage on Local 4 News Saturdays at 6 & 11 p.m. and Sunday at 6 p.m., in addition to hosting Sports Final Edition.