Alycia Keeton was deployed to Iraq the late summer of 2009.  During her deployment she was injured and transported to Germany for evaluation.  Upon reviewing her injuries, she was transported to the states for further evaulation and treatment.  She was transferred to the Wounded Warriors Unit in Arkansas.
Before leaving for Iraq Alycia divorced her  abusive husbnad  and moved in with her (step) mother and father, with her 12 year old son.  While she was deployed, her parents raised her son.  Upon returning to the states, she has faced many trials.  She has had multiple surgeries on her hip and continues to go to physical thearapy at least 3 times a week.  She also has been diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder.  Alycia continues to see counselors and military doctors.  Since she is within 50 miles of the nearest post, she has to be seen by doctors at Fort Leavenworth.   She also has appointments spread over the Kansas City Metro Area.  Her physical thearapist is in Liberty, her counselors are down by the plaza and the unit she is working for is down by the stadiams.  She lives in Smithville.  Even with all the doctors appointments and counseling, she has to remain productive through the Army's volunteer program.
On top of trying to heal and correct her injuries, she is raising a 12 year old son.  They were able to move out of her parents house late last summer with the help of her mother who passed away in the summer.  With small amount she recieved from her mother's insurance money, she was able to find a small duplex for her and her son and pay off her vehicle.   She was also able to put a small amount into savings.  Since her mother's passing she has been struggling to stay affloat.  She has had to dip into her savings to make it through the last few months and is having issues with her pay and her GI Bill.  Alycia tries to stay very busy.  She still finds the time to continue to work toward her degree.  Her and her son both work on homework together.  Alycia was rear-ended in December and we lent her the money to have her car fixed as the other driver did not have insurance.
This last week, she was in a car accident that totaled her car.  She was driving home from a doctors appointment, when she slid into the side of a bridge.  She only received minor injuries, but the car is beyond repair.  She will receive a very small amount for her car as it was very old with over 150,000 miles on it.
Now let me tell you about Alycia.  She is my best friend.  She has held my hand through many of crisis in my life.  She is always there for me and I for her.  She would give her last dime to help someone else in need.  I have seen her bend over backwards to help other soldiers in need.  Alycia and George are part of my family.  Not the family you are given, but the family you choose.  She is a wonderful mother who always has time for her son and tries to make sure he isn't suffering because she has physical limitations.
She had a rough couple of years and just needs a break.  She has had a very bad run of bad luck.  She would never ask for this, that is why I am asking for her.  She is very proud and would say someone out there needs this more than I do.  Money is very tight for her.  Her ex-husband does not pay child support and with her pay issues, she has been living off of half a months pay.
A car for Alycia would give her the independence she needs and wants so badly.  She does not like to burden others and refuses to ask for help unless she is in dire need.  She has had a very hard year and half.  She has made it through, but is losing hope that things will turn around for her.  I vehicle for her would give her the much needed hope that people do care and her luck will turn around.