Cahaba Heights family named semi-finalist in mobility van contest

In early March, the Huie family from Cahaba Heights was involved in a multi-car accident on I-459. The accident left parents MaryAnn and Kenneth paralyzed.  

The family is now a semi-finalist to receive a mobility van through the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association.Throughout the month of May, voting took place online for the competition.

Now, the top 10 percent of the entries in the categories with the most votes are being reviewed by an independent panel of judges. The Huie family will find out by June 30 if they are one of the four winners to receive a van.

MaryAnn said having the van would help the family regain their freedom. She is the leader of a local Girl Scout troop and an active member of the PTO in her children's school. She and Kenneth have two daughters at Vestavia Hills Elementary Cahaba Heights and one daughter at Liberty Park Middle School. 

"The van would enable us to get around on our own, to be mobile," she said. "I could return to life as school mom, a Girl Scout mom, a community mom."

MaryAnn suffered a broken neck and is currently undergoing physical therapy at Lakeshore Rehabilitation Center. Her husband suffered a severed spinal injury, broken ribs and two deflated lungs. MaryAnn said he is slowly but surely building up strength and is now at Lakeshore Rehabilitation with her.

MaryAnn said the support of the community has been overwhelming in all directions.

"Our work family, school family, church family, Cahaba Heights family, even strangers have stepped up to help," she said.

For a list of all the semi-finalists, click here