Physical Therapy & a Honda Odyssey
Meet Erich, the 48th client we’ve gotten the privilege to know
A little over a year ago, our administrator, Tara, was at physical therapy recovering from a knee surgery. One day, an intern asked about where she worked and what OnRamp DFW was all about. After sharing about the mission of OnRamp, he pointed to an old Honda Odyssey in the parking lot and said it wasn’t the newest car in the world, but they were no longer in need of it. Fast forward to last Friday, where Erich, a single father of three teenagers received something he was in desperate need of: transportation.
Erich clutching his new Bible. He said he wanted it in every picture!
At OnRamp DFW, we have the privilege of coming alongside resilient, determined, hardworking individuals who are already doing consistent work to change their circumstances. Erich, a single father of three teenagers, is one of those people. Living outside of Ft. Worth in a rural area without a vehicle, Erich was waking up at 4:45am to walk his daughter 45 minutes to get to color guard practice on time and walking 6 miles to get to the closest grocery store.
Without any public transportation in the area, his advocate nominated him to our program. Erich’s nomination came through My Health My Resources of Tarrant County, an organization that has been providing services to two of his children with special needs.
Jackie, one of our board members, with Erich and one of his sons.
Just last week, we were proud to hand Erich the keys to that donated Honda Odyssey. Now, Erich doesn’t have to walk miles in the Texas sun. He can get his kids to school on time, take them to appointments, and get them to their practices and extracurriculars safely. For two children on the autism spectrum, that kind of consistency and comfort can make a world of difference.
At OnRamp, we have the privilege of witnessing transportation restore dignity, access, and opportunity. We get to come alongside families like Erich’s, who are doing everything they can but still face barriers they can’t overcome alone.
Erich’s story started as a conversation in a physical therapist’s office, a place dedicated to rebuilding strength and restoring mobility in a knee and turned into a donation of a vehicle providing strength and mobility to an entire family. One moment, a dad was talking about the daily challenges of walking 45 minutes to get his kids to school. The next, someone listening saw an opportunity to help, and that simple exchange set a beautiful change in motion.
Story and photos shared with the client’s permission.
Photography by Clint Brewer Photography.
