N. Atlanta
Just three weeks after my 28th birthday and five weeks after my wedding, I had a catastrophic disc rupture which affected my spinal cord. I've had five spinal surgeries (most recently was just two days ago) and I have one more coming up at the end of March. I live in constant agony due to nerve pain in my legs, joint dysfunctions, degenerative disc disease and spinal stenosis. I also have fibromyalgia, which I had under control until my injury. I have been bedridden for over two years. My bladder function is affected as well. Luckily, a family friend is able to do all the labor for us to convert our home to wheelchair accessible, we just need to obtain the equipment and supplies to get started on this massive project. Our home is a ranch style, which gives us a good foundation to make this a perfect forever home.
No one ever anticipates being in poor health at my age (I am 31 and also a mom) but we are making the best of it. We will not be moving from this house which means we need to make it work so I can have independence. Right now, I have to shower and bathe with assistance because of the lack of safety in the house. My limited mobility makes me a high fall risk. Making these changes will allow me to use the restroom without assistance, cooking, cleaning, and bathing all require help from my husband.
My husband has stood by me through this whole journey and has not complained once, even though this has financially crippled us. My medical bills are nearing $750,000. Insurance has covered a lot but we still owe nearly $30k as our portion. As you can imagine, spinal injuries are not cheap! Insurance only covers a few of the medical items we need but it turns out to be cheaper buying used off ebay. Insurance doesn't cover a vehicle wheelchair lift, and only covers a small portion of a new wheelchair (it would still be over $2,000 out of pocket for us, so I found a chair which kind of works until we save enough to get what I really need- a chair fitted to my body.)
If you or someone you know has any spare ADA and wheelchair assisting items, please get in touch. I am interested in bartering and trading also. I haven't worked in over two years and have not had a paycheck in that time. Prior to this, I loved working and had worked full time since the day I turned 16. Reducing to one income means we can't afford to just buy what we need. Trading with you will truly give my life back.
If you would like to know more about my story, please visit http://gfwd.at/1ttH21n
This is a fundraiser to help with our mounting medical bills but my story is in the updates if you'd like to know more about my situation and why these items will change my life. Even though our bills are three times the fundraiser amount, we wanted to set an initial goal we felt we could reach. Once we reach the first threshold, we will set a new goal to help with outfitting our home.
The savings from trading and bartering is our goal. We would much rather have gently used items at a fraction of the cost. We were able to pick up a very inexpensive car (just a few thousand dollars) to fit us and my chair, and we bartered for a chair lift we just need to install.
Right now I only leave the house one hour a month for my doctor visit. I just had another major surgery Thursday to fuse my spine to my pelvis permanently. Having our home accessible would mean getting out of bed more than 30 minutes a day. I have spent over 756 days in bed. Getting out of this bed means strengthening my body and getting as fit and healthy as I was before this. I was my ideal weight and size and then this happened. As you can imagine, it has devastated me but I won't give up.
We are in need of ADA-compliant household items and other supplies to convert our home to wheelchair accessible. We are open to barter and trade since our items work well, just not for me in a wheelchair now.
Wall oven with side-swinging door to replace our stainless GE double wall oven
30" gas cooktop with knobs by the front to replace our GE Profile gas 4-burner cooktop with knobs on the side I can't reach
Front loading washing machine and dryer to replace our Fischer/Paykel set
ADA-compliant refrigerator to replace our Whirlpool Conquest Side-by-Side. I am unable to access much in the fridge
400-500 square feet of pre-finished hardwood flooring to replace carpeting. Carpet is difficult to roll on in my manual wheelchair
Roll-in shower base
Trade our corner Jetted 2 person jacuzzi for a single occupancy jetted tub
ADA toilet with bowl height of at least 17" - Toto or other ADA compliance.
Roll-under cabinet bases to replace my bathroom vanity so I can more easily wash my hands and brush my teeth
Dishwashing drawer / Dishdrawer
Cabinet insert pull out drawers so I can access items in the kitchen and bathroom. Pull down shelving for our upper cabinets
Walk in bathtub
Fold down shower seat
Grab bars
Building supplies
pocket doors
wider interior doors so I can get through more easily
hardwood flooring
neutral tile so we can convert our shower to roll-in
shower floor roll-in style insert base
vanity countertop for bathroom
motion sensor light switches for easy access
Any other ADA items you may have but no longer need.
I understand many people prefer a tangible gift, so in light of that we have set up an Amazon Wish List with a few of the items we desperately need so I can begin living life again and restore some of my dignity and privacy.
Brittany's Quality of Life Wish List
http://ift.tt/1DssK94
Medical Bill Fundraiser
http://gfwd.at/1ttH21n
If you have any of the items above, please send a message. Even if you aren't local, we may be able to arrange transport or shipping/delivery through a family member who works in shipping.
Thank you for reading.
-Brittany
Submitted February 09, 2015 at 11:05AM by bionicback http://ift.tt/1xUlHiA Donation
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