STANWOOD, Wash. — In a wheelchair due to a form of ALS, Jon Howe's world has largely been confined to his house for the past decade.
Jon's husband, Alan Gossett, is his full-time caregiver. They survive off of Howe's monthly disability check.
"He basically was going to be a prisoner in the house except for the very occasional medical appointment," said Gossett.
To keep costs down, the couple moved to rural Snohomish County. It's so rural they're outside of the local bus routes. They can't afford a specialized van for Jon, so life is very limited.
"It can be very depressing," said Howe. "You don't get to see your friends. You don't get to go anywhere to do anything for fun."
Homage Senior Services offers transportation for folks like John, but demand has grown 128% over the past year.
Demand increased so much that the nonprofit burned through its budget a full year before new funding was available.
That meant the program would be suspended and hundreds would be housebound until next July.
So, Gossett took action.
"John was essentially going to be under house arrest until next July," Gossett said. "I couldn't let that happen."
Gossett wrote directly to State Secretary of Transportation Roger Millar, Rep. Suzan DelBene, Snohomish County Councilman Nate Nehring, and others, explaining the plight of Howe and hundreds more.
KING 5 reported on the situation, and within days, WSDOT freed up $400,000 to keep the program rolling until the new funding cycle next July. The community pitched in another $18,000.
"I literally had tears in my eyes," said Juli Rose, who runs the Homage program. "It was absolute elation. After the KING 5 story, our phones started ringing, and donations started pouring in."
The funding means Homage will be able to provide nearly 9,000 more rides to people like Howe.
With funding restored, Howe made his first trip to a shopping center in 10 years on Tuesday afternoon.
"For Alan and I to get out and go have lunch or breakfast is big," Howe smiled. "It feels good. I never get to do this sort of thing. This opens up a new path for me."
On this day it was a trip to Costco and Michaels Arts & Crafts.
They're everyday activities most of us take for granted, but they're soul-saving for Howe and others like him.
Life isn't so limited anymore.
"Quality of life is everything," said Howe. "I'm not a prisoner anymore."
Homage is now accepting new riders.
To qualify, all new riders must complete a quick over-the-phone application by calling 425-423-8517. Workers are available Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. to assist.
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