Miracle Mobile helping Central Coast families

For Central Coast parents raising children who need extensive medical care in the bay area, transportation can be a major problem. Fortunately, Salinas Valley Memorial Health Systems has a program that can help.

“This is Manuel Rivera Montoya,” said Manny’s Mother, Patricia Montoya.

Little Manny is absolutely adorable, but the four-year old and his parents have faced challenges since his birth.

“He has down syndrome, and he also was diagnosed with autism,” said Montoya.

He was also diagnosed with a form of leukemia and had open heart surgery when he was only six days old. That meant a lot of time spent in the bay area.

“Four or five months in San Francisco,” said Montoya.

And it would have been a lot harder for the Montoyas if it wasn’t for the miracle mobile, a kind of “Uber” for sick children.

“They provide rides to and from the bay area for specialty treatment that’s not available in this tri-county area,” said Program Manager for the Children’s Miracle Network at SVMHS, Melissa Gross.

The Miracle Mobile was purchased last year and is fully funded by the hospital, the only one in the Tri-County area that’s part of the children’s miracle network.

“We have some families who just don’t have a vehicle at all, and so we pick them up from their home, take them to their appointment, bring them back home,” said the Executive Director for the Partnership for Children, Jennifer Ramirez.

Partnership for Children says its been working with Salinas Valley Memorial, giving rides to sick children and their families at no cost!

“We have to worry about other things like the child’s well being. It’s stressful as it is and this does help with the commute,” said Montoya.

“Now seeing as the Miracle Mobile services all three counties, sometimes drivers end up driving up for 400 miles a day just to take these kids where they need to go,” said Reporter Matt Sizemore.

“I get a great feeling out of it. i get a wonderful feeling. I think that if i didn’t help, and as long as the day is, it’s best,” said Miracle Mobile Driver, Sondra Steckler.

Commutes aren’t cheap, but with the help of corporate sponsors and donations, the miracle mobile has full funding until next July.

“This is an opportunity for us to really impact every corner of these three counties, from Felton all the way down to King City,” said Gross.

And for families like Manny and Patirica, the service has been a life saver.

“Thank you so much. Everyone, for all you guys have done,” said Montoya.