Zoe’s drive to make most of life pays off
ZOE Zanos has a new-found sense of freedom.
The St Albans Park 37-yearold was diagnosed with a genetic and severe muscle-wasting disease — spinal muscular atrophy — when she was a baby.
She has never walked or crawled, and gets around in a wheelchair.
While battling aggressive cancer in 2015, which she has now recovered from, the specially modified vehicle used to transport Ms Zanos “died” after 22 years.
That year, fundraising began to help buy a car for Ms Zanos, collecting $19,000.
A Kia Carnival was purchased in December 2016, and Ms Zanos applied to the NDIS for funding to cover conversion costs, but was rejected.
Automobility in Melbourne held the car in storage, at no cost, while the decision was ap- pealed. Ms Zanos relied on taxis in the during that time, which was “not good”.
“The ride is just unbearably bumpy (in taxis) ... they’re just jerky and horrible,” she said. “At certain times, you can’t get one.”
The NDIS finally approved her funding request late last year, covering the conversion costs, which Ms Zanos said amounted to about $48,000.
Although she is unable to drive, carers, friends and family are happy to help, and take the wheel while Ms Zanos enjoys the view.
The vehicle, which Ms Zanos recently received, has modifications including special suspension, and allows her to sit in the front passenger seat area. “I can see (out the window), I can’t see out a taxi window,” she said.
The modified vehicle allowed Ms Zanos to finally visit her mum in Clifton Springs.
She’s only been able to go and see her mum once over the past couple of years, but with the new vehicle, Ms Zanos is looking forward to many more visits.
She thanked everyone involved in helping to get the vehicle, including the NDIS and those who donated money towards the car. “This is going to just help me do things I want to do,” she said.