Have you ever watched a television program like Montel or Oprah and groaned when they give someone who is disadvantaged but has the ability to work or does work and may just make stupid decisions (like drug use, alcoholism and the like instead of paying their bills) the keys to a new car, house, boat and a huge shopping spree to some mall or store?

I have seen it too many times, and I'm here to tell you there are people out there who genuinely need the help more than someone who is one 12-step program away from a normal life again. Today I'd like to clue you in on a man named Dominick Evans. First, a little background on Dominick:

• Dominick has a rare form of Muscular Dystrophy.
• Dominick lives in a house that isn't big enough for his wheelchair to get around in.
• Dominick hasn't been able to get out of his own home more than a handful of times in the last five years.
• The few times he has gone out, he's had to pay a service that is equipped to handle wheelchair bound passengers, first come first serve, and it's not cheap.
• He doesn't have a wheelchair accessible van, so even if he is able to get physically out of his house, he can't go anywhere because a normal car like you or I have won't fit his wheelchair.

I recently sat down with Dominick and asked him a few questions about his situation and how getting the assistance he needs to be able to live a normal life would affect him and his family.  Here is the transcript of my interview with him:

I've been able to go to the occasional appointment to the doctors or to MRS (Michigan Rehabilitation Services), but I try not to go out very often via the "Dial a Ride" service here for the disabled. It's very inconvenient, isn't always safe, and it is an all day process to go anywhere.

I would say the only time I've been out for fun in the past five years has been once to the mall and once to a church festival. I managed to get public transport to take me to the mall for Christmas shopping and a lunch date with Ashtyn (my life partner/girlfriend) my first year in Burton, MI. This was not easy because the service prioritizes rides, and since fun isn't as important as doctor's appointments your ride for "fun" can be cancelled on you.

We also went to a church festival this last summer, because my son, CT (CoolTeen), has been upset over the fact that I have been unable to go anywhere fun with the family for nearly five years. Again, I was lucky to go to the festival. Typically, rides are on a first come, first serve basis, even if you are ADA approved, as I am. I also have to pay for every ride I take.

Public transportation here for those in wheelchairs isn't always reliable, especially if you're not going to the doctors. We also frequently have to sit around after we're done anywhere, waiting for the service to pick us up and take us home. I've had drivers with the service not tie my wheelchair down securely and have hurt myself while riding in the van. Some of the drivers are mean. One used to slam on his brakes, just to freak me out. I reported him to the transport service and he was even meaner after that.

I live off a bus route, which means I have to schedule using a Dial a Ride service. There are two in my area. One is only for doctor's appointments. You have to schedule the appointment at least a month in advance to get a ride, so let's hope I don't get sick in between. The other service, you must schedule a week in advance. You can't just call them up the day of your appointment, so if I get sick, I either have to be so sick I call the ambulance (and hope my insurance deems it an emergency so they will pay for the round trip ambulance trips) or suffer at home and hope it passes.

The last time I have had the freedom to go anywhere I wanted was when we lived in Dayton. We moved from Dayton in August of 2003. I fractured my tibia and had to move out of my on campus apartment because I was too hurt to attend class. I ended up moving back to Ashtyn's house, not realizing it was as inaccessible as it was. Now we both know what kind of house I need. Ash and I had only been together a year, at this point, so she was still getting to understand accessibility issues. Now, she feels bad that she brought me here, but I could never blame her. She takes good care of me!

I would just love to hop into my new van and drive around the block. How exciting would that be? I think I'd enjoy going to a supermarket. I haven't been to one in five years.

Just to drive around the lanes in my wheelchair and say, "Hey! I have my freedom!" would rock my world. I'd also like to go out to eat and actually eat at the restaurant. It's been five years since I've done that, too. Just little things, like going to the park with Ashtyn, our son, and our dog, Oliver, would be so freeing to me. I'm not really picky about where I go, at this point.

One place I'd love to go eventually though is down to Toledo to see my 90 year old grandfather. I haven't seen him since 2002. He just lost my grandmother. They'd been together 69 years (65 of those married) and she passed away this past December. I'd just like to see him and give him a big hug, to let him know I miss him, love him and let him know in person that I wish I could have had the chance to go to the funeral.

Never give up. You may not have services at your fingertips, but the Internet can help. Start making friends and connections. Talk to people online to see if they can help you set up a page for donations. Email celebrities and talk shows to see if they can help.

 Ask friends with websites to write stories to help you. Eventually, your story will get out and you will get the help you need. I know your situation seems dire and some days you will be depressed, but there are good people out there who do care.

My life will change drastically. My business will grow because I've been invited to conferences for work and have been unable to attend. These conferences will mean I'll make new connections and people will learn about the work I do, as a blogger. I'll be able to go out with my family to a wide variety of places, and they won't have to feel bad about leaving me home alone.

 A new house in a new county means better services for me and CT who has Aspergers and Bi Polar. Right now, we both have very limited services. The move is going to benefit CT, especially, who is struggling greatly, every day. Without better services, we fear he will soon end up in the hospital for treatment.

 I'd be able to shower in a new home and that would be one of the happiest moments in my life. I miss showers, so much. Sponge bathing is good, because it's my only option, but I'm dying for my first shower in five years. You don't even know what that'd mean to me.

 Giving me freedom means I can help others. I plan to start a non-profit so others with Muscular Dystrophy don't have to go through what I am, right now. I can have the freedom to actually go out in my community and plan events for this non-profit. By giving me my freedom, you will be helping me to help others!

I hope to achieve my dreams. I hope to return to college to finally finish my degree in film. I hope to inspire others to make their dreams a reality. I hope to make my non-profit a success so others do not have to live in such inaccessible, hopeless seeming situations. I know I have so many things I'm capable of doing, once my freedom is restored!

Got a dollar to spare? Got five? Please, if you can, chip in to help Dominick. You can read more articles about his life, see pictures of his house, and learn lots more about him (as well as make donations) via his website:

• A House For Dom

I'll be doing my part, too.  I'm setting up an Adsense channel, and all ad revenue from this Hub will be donated to Dominick's fund, and I will personally match it.  It may be hard in these current economic times, but anything does in fact help!