La Crosse, WI – Nick Dobbs has never let adversity define him. After a catastrophic motorcycle accident in 2011 left him a ventilator-dependent quadriplegic, the then-19-year-old turned unimaginable tragedy into a story of perseverance, education, and service.

Now, Nick is asking for help with one simple but life-changing goal: securing a safe, reliable, and accessible vehicle to regain independence and rejoin the everyday moments that matter most — family gatherings, community events, and more.

On August 11, 2011, Nick was just days away from turning 20 when a collision with a tractor and hay wagon at the bottom of his driveway changed everything. The accident severed his spine at the C3 and C4 vertebrae, leaving him paralyzed from the neck down and reliant on a ventilator to breathe.

After a six-month hospitalization and an emotional transition back home, Nick focused on building a new life. He returned to school, earning a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, followed by a master’s from Auburn University. He later passed the enrolled agent exam and now operates his own tax business, and works for Intuit — all from home.

But getting out of the house remains a challenge. The van that once carried him across the country and to essential appointments has aged out of safe use. While a state program, Inclusa, covers the cost of vehicle modification for accessibility, it does not cover the cost of the van itself — which must meet specific criteria, including being under three years old with low mileage.

Nick is seeking help to purchase a qualifying van, which could cost between $30,000 and $45,000 before conversion. “Having this vehicle would mean everything,” he shared. “It would give me a chance to be part of life outside my home again.”

Thanks to overwhelming community support, he’s already made significant progress. The search for a suitable vehicle is underway, and every donation, share, or kind word is helping bring him one step closer to mobility and greater independence. Nick’s GoFundMe Fundraiser