4 wheels of freedom: Businesses donate accessible van to Paradise family in need

Freedom comes in the form of a wheelchair-accessible van for 11-year-old Jacob Anstey of Paradise.

After seven months in hospital and a month at home, the world is finally back at Jacob's fingertips. That's because of two local businesses — Get Messy N.L. and Bursey's Bus Service — partnered together to help.

"Needs of children are the reason we get involved here," said Evan Bursey, co-owner of Bursey's Bus Service. "Our business is a supplier for their business, Get Messy N.L., and they called up out of the blue one day and said, 'We got to do something.' So, here we are doing something."

In January, Jacob suffered a cardiac arrest. His mother, Lisa Loveless-Hodder, said his heart stopped for 10½ minutes. The lack of oxygen left Jake with global brain damage. 

"That has left our previously very active, talkative, extremely lovable boy in a wheelchair, nonverbal and fed through a feeding tube," Loveless-Hodder said.

WATCH | The moment Jake Anstey and his family see their new ride: 

This family needed a wheelchair-accessible van. 2 Paradise businesses made it happen

4 months ago

Duration 2:25

Life just got a little easier for Jake Anstey and his family. Jake needs accessible transportation to get around, but using the public system can be tough. But after CBC News featured Jake’s story, two Paradise businesses decided to do something about it. See the moment Anstey and his family were presented with their own accessible van.

Ready to move forward, Loveless-Hodder thought bringing Jacob home would make things easier, but the challenges of their new normal quickly revealed problems with accessible transportation.

For example, she said, when they would call for a wheelchair-accessible cab, it would take hours to show up. 

"Even booking a day or two in advance, we weren't able to get him to where we wanted to get him," Loveless-Hodder said.

To make things easier, she looked into getting her own accessible van, but the family couldn't afford it.

Accessible vehicles can range from $35,000 to $120,000. Most are in the range of $80,000 to $100,000, according to Sure Grip Atlantic, a mobility equipment supplier based in New Brunswick. 

Loveless-Hodder said she couldn't believe it when the two businesses stepped in to alleviate the burden. She said the van will make Jacob's life easier.

"My heart is about to burst ever since I got the news from Get Messy and Evan Bursey," she said. "I have been making a list of all the places I want to take Jake. It's getting long now. We're going to be on the go, and I am so incredibly thankful."

First on that list is an appointment at the Janeway children's hospital, but visiting his grandparents in Dildo and a walk around the Dinosaur Park on Thorburn Road in St. John's are top contenders.

Get Messy N.L. and Bursey's Bus Service also provided Jacob's family a two-year warranty for the vehicle, a maintenance credit and their first year of insurance free. 

"It makes us feel good as people and as business owners," Bursey said.

Jacob's grandfather, Rene Loveless, says he's grateful to the community that supports his family.

"It's a new reality for Jake but the way he is cared for, and appreciated and loved, that means so much," he said.

Loveless-Hodder said the gift is bigger than the van. 

"The gift is Jake's freedom and our family's freedom," Loveless-Hodder said. "How do you say 'thank you' to a gift of this size?"

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