Keven Gilbert
The Americus Times-Recorder
AMERICUS —
Aubrey Cummings and her family are anxiously awaiting the arrival of their handicapped-modified van that will allow the recent high school graduate to travel more easily and experience the freedoms that come along with being a young adult.
Cummings has cerebral palsy, which was caused by a lack of oxygen immediately following her birth. She has trouble controlling body movement and uses a specially-designed electric wheel chair to get her from place to place.
Cumming’s mother, Tabitha Ezzo, said the modified van will allow for traveling with powered wheelchair. The van will be converted to a rear-entry companion van modification with the back three rows of seats being removed and the floor lowered in order to easily transport the chair. Ezzo said when Aubrey got the chair in high school, it had to be left at school because they were unable to transport the chair back and forth on a daily basis.
The modification of the van will come at a cost of $18,000. Ezzo said at the moment, 2⁄3 of cost has been raised.
Fragile Kids, a foundation that helps medically-fragile children, raised $5,000, and the family will receive a one-time allotment from Medicaid that will total a little more than $5,000.
Ezzo said The Junior Service League of Americus raised $1,000 and two private donations of $400 and $500 have been made to bring the balance to $6,100.
“Right now, we are just praying that the rest of the money will come,” Ezzo said.
The family recently took the van to Augusta, where it was then sent to Michigan for the modification. In six to eight weeks, the van will be finished and the rest of the money will be due.
Ezzo said her daughter is excited about being able to get out have new experiences.
“She is so smart,” Ezzo said, “she really needs a social life.”
Cummings graduated 16th in her class at Americus-Sumter County High School and earned a college preparatory diploma. Ezzo his confident that her daughter can do anything she wants and is taking control to make sure that the opportunity is there.
“Right now, if she wanted to take classes, I would not be able to take her because I can’t transport her chair,” Ezzo said.
Cummings is looking into the possibility of a career as a writer with specificity for television scripts. She has computer access through a specialized keyboard and has written several scripts.
“What she would really like to do is write for Nickelodeon or Disney,” Ezzo said.
Her mother said Aubrey’s writing and ideas are quite good and she has a penchant for fantasy themes.
“I think she needs proper training in college to help her develop and improve her skills,” she said.
Continuing education after high school has also presented challenges for Cummings. Ezzo said Sumter County Vocational Rehabilitation will not take Aubrey as a client because there would not be a job available for her when she finished school. Without the assistance of vocational rehabilitation, it would make it impossible for Cummings to attend a higher learning institution.
Ezzo said in a larger community, the assistance Aubrey needs would be more readily-available, but she said she is intent on keeping her family here in Americus.
“I have never seen Aubrey discouraged or have a negative attitude. Her wish is to have the opportunity to help other people. As her Mom, I have to give her that opportunity,” Ezzo said.
Aubrey Cummings is 18. She is the daughter of Tabitha and Don Ezzo and has a sister Hannah, 10, and brother Dominic, 4.
