NOME, Texas — A Southeast Texas family is reaching out for help after their 12 passenger van broke down on the highway last month while returning home from Texas Children's Hospital.
Now the Dougharty family is raising money for a new van capable of transporting the family of nine while meeting the needs of their disabled daughter.
4-year-old "Bobbi" Dougharty was born with a rare genetic disorder called Aicardi Syndrome, because of this she goes through life in a wheelchair facing daily obstacles.
"She's missing her corpus callosum, the brain fibers between the two brain hemispheres, she has an eye issue called chorioretinal lacunae which is holes in the retina," said Laura Dougharty.
Laura is Bobbi's adoptive mother, she says that her disorder makes it difficult for Bobbi to get around.
The families van also broke down after a trip to Texas Children's Hospital, making travel even more difficult.
"Here lately we're having to pick and choose who rides with us and who stays home, which also includes some of the kids. Including Bobbi and my wife having to stay home from church because we can't all get there in the little car," said Bobbi's dad, Joe Dougharty.
Joe Dougharty is a local pastor and he wants his entire family to be able to travel. He says his family has always been committed to helping others, but now they need a helping hand.
"A brand new van runs about $115,000 which is just way out of our means. We have found two used vans that would work, and still be able to house our family. One was 45,000 and one was 42,000, and they both seat about nine people plus a wheelchair," said Joe Dougharty.
The Dougharty's are fundraising to purchase that van and say anything given will help. You can find the link to the fundraiser here.