Paralyzed college student asking for donations for new disability van

(WJBK) - Drew Clayborn was paralyzed from the shoulders down doing a backflip for a high school musical six years ago, but the 21-year-old never let that stand in the way of success.

He's now a senior at the University of Michigan, majoring in biomathematics.

FOX 2 has followed Clayborn's story since his accident and in May we asked you to vote for him in a local heroes contest. If he won, he'd be given a new van -- something he really needs.

"Thanks to all the people in the Metro area, Drew did get over 12,000 votes in less than 30 days, which is amazing," said his father, LeDon Clayborn.

Clayborn's dad was thrilled his son made the semi-finals but in the end, he wasn't selected as the winner.

But Clayborn's 14-year-old van is starting to fall apart.

"We didn't win it but since then everybody kept telling us to start a GoFundMe and we started one and just in a couple days we've raised over $5,000, so it's a lot," he said.

The goal is to raise $50,000, and they're hoping all the folks who voted for him in the last contest might want to make a donation.

"Whatever you can afford, it would be great," LeDon Clayborn said. "Every little bit helps."

Those who donate $30 receive "Drew Crew" T-shirts as a thank you. This is a shirt designed after Clayborn first got hurt. He's sure come a long way, now he's redesigned and is even running the Drew Crew website -- now he just needs a new ride.

"We should somehow make sure he's riding to U-of-M this fall in a new set of wheels," his father said.

To make a donation, go to thedrewcrew.org. Click here to donate to the GoFundMe.