Jesse de Jong (16) cannot believe his luck. His long-cherished dream of being able to venture out independently has become reality. Last month he decided to start a crowdfunding campaign for his own disabled car. After an article with Omroep Brabant, among others, he was overwhelmed with responses. The odometer of his Canta now stands at more than three hundred kilometers. “I never expected this, I am so very happy.”
Last week he was able to buy his second-hand Canta from someone in Den Helder. “It was actually slightly above my budget of 2,300 euros, but the seller decided to knock one hundred and fifty euros off the asking price after hearing my story,” says Jesse.
Until recently, the teenager from Nieuw-Vossemeer had been confined to his home for months due to his Tourette’s condition, in combination with autism. Jesse cannot travel by public transport because he becomes overstimulated. In consultation with his parents, he has therefore chosen to stay at home this year until special education is found that suits him.
“I notice that I am doing better.”
Now that he has his own disabled car, the walls are no longer closing in on him. “Hello dear people, we succeeded!”, says Jesse’s page on ‘Go Fund Me’.
Jesse has already made trips to Bergen op Zoom, Steenbergen and Sint Philipsland. “I picked up my brother from school and went out with the dog. The great thing is that I don’t get tics behind the wheel, I notice that I am doing better.”
“I am often recognized, people honk or give me a thumbs up.”
Jesse is now a striking appearance in his bright red Canta in the Nieuw-Vossemeer area. “I am often recognized, people honk or give me a thumbs up. They are really happy for me, so I would like to thank everyone who donated.”
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Jesse is always at home because of Tourette’s and really wants to go out
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