Andrew Barnum

For nearly 16 years, Andrew Barnum served as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) technician in the United States Marine Corps. His career took him around the world, from North Carolina to Arizona, Florida, and even Okinawa, Japan. Along the way, he and his wife built a life centered on adventure, service, and raising their two sons.

That life changed after a rollover accident left Andrew with a spinal cord injury at the C4-C5 level.

As his family adjusted to a new normal, transportation quickly became one of their biggest daily challenges.Their first accessible vehicle met the basic need of getting from place to place, but it didn’t allow Andrew to truly be part of the journey. Seated in the rear of the vehicle, he couldn’t easily talk with his wife, interact with his children, or even take care of simple needs during longer drives.

“I just kind of felt like a chained-up animal,” Andrew shared. “I was alone in the back. I couldn’t hear anybody, and I couldn’t really be part of the conversation.”

The process of loading him into the vehicle also placed a tremendous physical burden on his wife. Securing his wheelchair required multiple tie-downs and often took five to ten minutes every time they wanted to leave the house.

Everything changed when Freedom Mobility Foundation awarded Andrew’s family a grant to purchase a 2026 Chevrolet Suburban with a passenger-side entry conversion. Now, instead of being separated from his family, Andrew rides beside his wife in the front seat. For the first time in nearly a year, they could simply have conversations while driving.

“It just gave me some normalcy again,” Andrew said “As a father and an adult, I can sit up front.”

The change has made everyday life easier in ways both big and small. The new lift system allows Andrew to enter the vehicle in about a minute, dramatically reducing the physical strain on his wife. The smoother ride has also helped decrease the pain and fatigue he experienced during long trips to medical appointments, including regular visits to his VA clinic in San Antonio.

Just as importantly, the Suburban has restored something the Barnum family deeply missed: the ability to travel together. Because of Andrew’s injury, every trip requires medical equipment, a patient lift, and additional supplies. Their previous vehicle simply couldn’t accommodate everything they needed. Now, with the added space, family vacations are possible again.

“We joined the military to travel and see the world,” Andrew said. “Now we can drive wherever we want and go explore.”

For Andrew, freedom looks a little different today than it once did.

“It’s really just being out and about,” he said. “Being able to be up front and see what’s going on means a lot to me.”

That renewed freedom has also strengthened his mental well-being. Instead of dreading long rides or feeling like a burden every time they left the house, Andrew is eager to get out, spend time with his family, and experience life together.

The impact reaches beyond Andrew alone. His wife no longer carries the same physical demands of loading and securing him, and their sons have more room for backpacks, sports equipment, and all the things that come with growing up. What once felt crowded and complicated now feels like family life again.

When asked what he would like Freedom Mobility Foundation’s donors to know, Andrew’s gratitude was immediate.

“I want them to know just how blessed and thankful I am,” he said. “Their donations have helped me financially, given me a sense of normalcy, and given me freedom.”

For the Barnum family, the Suburban is more than an accessible vehicle. It represents togetherness, independence, and the opportunity to keep making memories. One road trip, one conversation, and one adventure at a time.