Woman has broken more than 450 bones

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Almost everyone has a dream car. For some, it’s a cherry convertible. Others, may desire a pristine Cadillac. But one Indianapolis woman wants a customized wheelchair accessible van.

“I have broken over 450 bones in my life and had about 27 surgeries,” Erin Reid said. “There's times where I was turning a door handle and I broke my arm.”

Reid, 26, suffers from Osteogenesis Imperfecta. It is a disease that makes her bones brittle. But since childhood, she hasn't let her frequent injuries slow her down.

She says driving is a step toward independence. 

Reid entered a national contest that recognizes National Mobility Awareness Month. The winner will win a customized wheelchair accessible Vehicle. It’s valued at more than $20,000.

“I would use hand controls since I don’t have the leg strength to push on gas and break pedals,” Reid said.

But Reid says she needs your help. The person with the most votes wins. You can vote once per day by visiting VoteForErin.com .

Voting ends May 10.

Reid met 24-Hour News 8 Monday morning. If she wins, they will likely be responsible for upgrading the vehicle.

“I know things could be much worse for me! One of my biggest goals is to drive,” she said. “In 2007 my brother passed away and I developed severe anxiety and depression. The anxiety kept me from doing a lot of things, and one of the major things it kept me from doing is driving.”

At birth doctors didn't think she would survive. Next week, she will celebrate her 27th birthday. 

“God is a big part of my life and I think that he put this disability on me because he knows I can handle it,” she said with a smile. “An adapted van would mean the world to me, and if I won I feel like I could finally do all of the things I dream of doing! I would feel honored to receive an amazing gift like this.”