Success Story: Eloise

After working for Easter Seals for eight years, Eloise fell sick. She soon personified the when-it-rain-it-pours syndrome! A single mother with four of five children under her roof, Eloise saw her troubles multiply. The family van needed more repairs than she could afford. When the air conditioning in the apartment broke, Eloise’s son’s asthma forced the family to move. Says Eloise, “I had no van, no money…nothing.” Her life had quickly spun out of control, but she never gave up on herself. Then help arrived.

Impressed by Eloise’s commitment to her family and sympathetic to her plight, a social worker and Eloise’s manager at Easter Seals teamed to recommend her to Wheels of Success. Plan A was to repair the van Eloise owned and had left parked at her previous apartment, but that landlord had salvaged it. Plan B, a new vehicle, put her on a waiting list. Keeping the faith, she continued to walk 75 minutes to work. Eloise gratefully recalls, “I was in constant contact with Wheels of Success’ staff. They always encouraged me.”

From there, things began to happen quickly. WOS walked her through the business of insurance, tag and a free car care class. The end of the story is best shared in Eloise’s words: “Behold, the WEEK BEFORE CHRISTMAS, I received a 1997 Mercury Mountaineer, and I have been blessed by it ever since. My kids are SO happy!”

More than joyful, Eloise is thankful and very anxious to participate in the organization’s pay it forward program. She already has processed paperwork in the WOSoffice and worked at an event. “Just give me what you’ve got,” promises Eloise, “and if I can tell anybody what Wheels of Success did for my family, I will!”