Newton Artist Needs Converted Van to Continue His Career

NEWTON, MA – A Newton artist and art historian is looking to return to work after being sidelined 13 years ago by a rare incurable root nerve disease -- but in order to do so, he needs a wheelchair enabled van.

Robert Solomon, an active member of the Newton community who has spoken about civic issues in the past, quit working as an independent marketing consultant in 2003 after his cancer treatment caused irreparable damage to his spine.

Solomon was diagnosed with Adhesive Arachnoiditis, a progressive root nerve disease that ultimately impacted his ability to stand and walk.

Though Solomon began relying on an electric wheelchair for mobility, he began exercising regularly and underwent surgery last year to reinforce a third of his spine with steel rods and pins, which prevented severe scoliosis from threatening one of lungs.

Through it all, he received his master's from Tufts and began painting and writing about art history again, a practice he put aside in the 1980s to focus on his family.

Now 66, Solomon is looking for a part-time college-level teaching position. But in order to do that, he needs a converted van to get to work. First reported by Village 14, Solomon has started a GoFundMe page to raise the $40,000 needed to equip a Ford Transit Connect Wagon with a wheelchair lift and hand controls.

In addition, the Newton Nomadic Theater is hosting a benefit Oct. 14 for Solomon's van fund.

>>>Click the embed below to help donate to Robert Solomon's Van for Independence.

Image via GoFundMe