Racecar Driver Rallies Social Media Support to Help Teen in Need

At MobilityWorks, we’re always inspired by stories of resilience and generosity within the wheelchair user community. Recently, our team in Huntsville, Alabama, was part of an extraordinary story that embodies these values. It’s the story of Wendell, a young man facing a new world of mobility challenges, and Jay—a racecar driver and social media influencer who used his platform to make a difference in Wendell’s life.

On November 20, 2023, Wendell’s life changed forever. After only three days on the job at a trampoline park, he suffered a major accident that resulted in a broken neck, leaving him a quadriplegic. The injury left Wendell and his family facing a mountain of medical expenses and the challenge of adjusting to a new way of life.

While the family had a wheelchair accessible vehicle, their van was older and ill-equipped for Wendell’s needs. It would break down regularly and the ramp was bent, making it difficult for Wendell to get in and out.

Jay, known to his more than 550,000 TikTok followers as @velocity_5.0, became aware of Wendell and his mom’s need for financial assistance to support Wendell’s journey to recovery. Through a series of videos, Jay shared Wendell’s story with his audience. He explained the challenges the family was facing and how he planned to help. With every milestone reached, Jay explained how the funds would be used to improve Wendell’s life and celebrated the collective effort that made it all possible.

The videos showed a real-time transformation happening in Wendell’s life, from the family’s initial fundraising efforts to the explosion of support from Jay’s TikTok community. His experience is a great example of the impact a community can make when they come together for a common cause.

Through a GoFundMe fundraiser as well as proceeds from special Christmas merchandise sold through Jay’s business Velocity Motorsports, more than $50,000 was raised to help Wendell get an upgraded van.

Along with Jay’s efforts, Bridge to Mobility, a nonprofit dedicated to helping individuals with mobility needs purchase accessible vehicles, also secured grant funding that allowed the family to get a new accessible van. Their new 2021 Chrysler is built with a wide, sturdy ramp, a more spacious interior and modern features that will let Wendell and his mother travel comfortably and safely. It will also allow Wendell to ride up front in the passenger position, which he was not able to do in the family’s old van.

Check out Wendell’s reaction to his new ride:

Our Huntsville team was blessed to be part of Wendell’s journey. As the holiday season continues, his story is a great reminder of the impact that a community’s generosity can have on someone’s life. Thank you to Jay, Bridge to Mobility, and all those who contributed to making this family’s dream a reality!