MILLVILLE, UT — A Cache County family is celebrating a new wheelchair-accessible van after neighbors, friends, and viewers stepped in to help them buy it for 13-year-old Trexton Lee. Trexton has cerebral palsy, and his family had been struggling with the growing difficulty of getting him in and out of a regular car seat as he got older.

What began as a practical need turned into a moment of relief and gratitude. Trexton’s father, Jason Lee, said he had been prepared to take on debt and work extra if that was what it took to make the purchase happen. Instead, the family says a GoFundMe campaign and community response changed the outcome in a way they did not expect.

A diagnosis that changed daily life for the Lees

Trexton was diagnosed with cerebral palsy when he was just six weeks old, and his family has spent years adapting to the realities that came with it. His sister Summer said the early years brought confusion, especially as they noticed he was not walking or talking in the same way other children did.

Even so, the family says Trexton has brought joy into their home. Jason Lee described how a smile or grin from his son can lift a difficult day. That small moment of happiness has become a big part of how the family talks about Trexton’s place in their lives.

His brother Jaxon said Trexton has taught him important lessons about selflessness and service. For the Lees, the day-to-day challenges have been real, but so has the sense that Trexton gives their family purpose and strength.

Why the family needed a wheelchair-accessible van

As Trexton grew older, the limitations of the family’s current transportation became more obvious. Jason said the simple act of getting Trexton in and out of the car was becoming harder, especially when the only option was using a car seat that was no longer practical for his needs.

That pushed the family to look for a wheelchair-accessible van, a vehicle that would make routine travel easier and safer. One became available in their area, but the price was more than the family could comfortably handle on their own.

Jason said his first thought was to borrow money and make the purchase work through extra hours and added effort. The van represented more than convenience; it was a way to keep everyday outings possible as Trexton’s care needs changed.

A family plan turns into a community effort

Unknown to Jason, his family had already begun organizing support behind the scenes. They set up a GoFundMe and contacted FOX 13 News Utah to help spread the word, hoping more people would hear about Trexton’s need and contribute if they could.

The response was strong enough to make the van purchase possible. The family was able to buy the vehicle after the fundraising effort picked up support from people in the community who wanted to help.

For Jason, the generosity was overwhelming. He said he knew some of the people who donated were not in a position to give much, yet they still contributed anyway. That sacrifice, he said, made the gesture feel even more meaningful.

Jason Lee says the generosity left him overwhelmed

Jason Lee said the help moved him to tears. He described not having enough words to fully thank the people who donated, because the support came from so many directions and from people with their own financial challenges.

The family’s gratitude goes beyond the van itself. For them, the donations became a visible reminder that they were not carrying the burden alone. The experience showed them how quickly a local community can come together around a child with significant needs.

Londyn, Trexton’s other sister, said that families like theirs can learn from moments like this that it is okay to ask for help. She said the burden can be heavy, and having others step in can make that load easier to bear.

The family calls the van a spaceship for new adventures

From the outside, the vehicle may look like an ordinary van, but Trexton’s family sees it differently. They have started calling it a spaceship, a playful name that reflects the freedom and mobility it now gives him.

The van will help take Trexton on adventures while reducing one of the biggest challenges the family faced in daily life. It is a practical tool, but it is also a symbol of how support from others can open doors that once seemed out of reach.

For the Lees, the purchase marks a turning point. What once looked like a daunting expense became an example of neighbors stepping up, and a child’s transportation needs turning into a community-wide act of kindness.

Real, uplifting stories from across America – GCHS Eagle's Eye.