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Help Anthony Help His Family

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Anthony is a bright, happy and determined young man with developmental disabilities. He wants to get his driver's licence so he can support his family. Put him on the path so he may support himself--and, most importantly to him, support his family. Help him get the instruction he needs to get a driver's license!

Anthony Bushong is a 20-year-old dynamo who, despite the many obstacles in his way, is determined to become self-sufficient and the rock of his family. Anthony was born with developmental delays to a mother who loves her son deeply but lives in a silent world; she is completely deaf and unable to speak. She cannot work, or even hear either of her beloved sons' voices. Anthony, his mother, and his teenage brother live with their grandmother, who, for as long as anyone can remember,  has been the matriarch of the family. However, at 80 years old, her health is beginning to fade, she cannot walk or drive, and worries deeply about what will become of the family when she passes. Anthony and his brother rely on social security and disability to squeak by in Salinas, California, part of the notoriously costly Greater Bay Area.

Despite the myriad challenges life has placed before Anthony, what characterizes him is not self-pity, but a strong work ethic and unshakable determination to become self-sufficient and help his family. For the past two years,  he has been a valuable part of Hope Services, a nonprofit that supports individuals with developmental disabilities.  Anthony is also putting his skill with electronics to work by working on an assoicate's degree in computer science.

While Anthony is well on his way to independence, the main challenge standing in his way now is obtaining a driver's license so he can get himself to work and school, as well as transport his mother and grandmother to doctor appointments, food shopping, etc. He has successfully completed the written portion of the driving test, but needs more behind-the-wheel instruction and practice to pass the last portion of the test. He has no one who can help him practice his driving skills, and needs extra support as he learns the hands-on skills of driving. At about $150 per class, behind-the-wheel training from a professional is out of reach for both Anthony and his family. Given his challenges, Anthony will likely require more instruction than the state's regulation of 6 hours. A donation of $1,500 will help Anthony get 10 classes, or 20 hours, of behind-the-wheel training and position him to succeed at passing the hands-on portion of the driving test on his first try. Most importantly, your donation will help Anthony on his quest to turn his disability into the ABILITY to lift himself and his family to a better place.
Thank you for your consideration!

Organiser

Meghan O'Hare
Organiser
Salinas, CA

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