Kindness: A New Van Brings Independence to a Family in Need

Since a car crash in December 2021 destroyed their wheelchair-accessible van, 34-year-old Jonathan Barnes, who has cerebral palsy and is blind, has struggled to get around. His father, Joe, had to carry him in and out of the car, while his mother, Victoria, couldn’t manage due to Jonathan’s size. Supply chain delays kept the family from replacing the van.

In January, after NBC 6 highlighted their story, South Florida-based Chen Med stepped in. “When we saw the Barnes family needed a vehicle with a wheelchair lift, we knew where to get one,” said Jeff Opperman, Senior Director of Communications.

The company surprised the family with a new van equipped with a wheelchair lift, allowing Jonathan to be safely and comfortably transported with the push of a button. “It feels good to have a brand new van,” Jonathan said. For the family, it’s a blessing beyond expectation, and Joe’s back finally has relief.