Help Bouwer Get Back On The Road
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On August 18th, 2011 while vacationing
in Montauk, Long Island, I had a swimming accident that changed my life in the
blink of an eye. I was rushed to Stony Brook University Hospital where it was
determined that I had suffered a burst fracture in my C6 vertebra. The bone was
recast, but the damage to my spinal cord had rendered me a quadriplegic. I
spent the next two weeks in ICU where I came to terms with what had happened.
After being transferred to Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Boston, MA, I spent the next three months relearning so many of the things that I has once taken for granted. While struggling to conquer these tasks, I maintained a positive outlook on my future and was comforted by the unbelievable support that I received from family, friends, and the staff at the hospital.
Upon my return home, I quickly realized how different being at home would be. Relying heavily on others to perform daily living activities became part of my normal routine, and I knew that I would need to get my independence back if I planned to keep my sanity. I went through outpatient therapies that help me get back on the right track, but it wasn't until I got involved with Empower SCI that I truly grasped my potential.
Empower SCI's pilot program in 2012 was ironically held at Stony Brook University across the road from where I had done my ICU. Empower really opened up my eyes to how much more independent I could become, and after spending a single week with this amazing group of people, I had achieved skills and techniques that put me well on my way toward greater independence. Once home, I strived to become even more independent by working on other skills and perfecting those I had already learned. This geared me up for this year's two week Empower program. This summer I returned home a whole new set of skills and I am now on the threshold of total independence.
It's been a little over two years since my accident, and I've made amazing progress in my recovery to the thanks of so many! The next big step toward being completely independent will be getting behind the wheel again. Currently, I transfer into a family vehicle and have to rely on someone else to drive me to and from appointments, shopping, and everything else I have to do. Having my own vehicle to drive myself around is really the final step towards my independence.
I have been working with the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC) for the last year and a half to help me get back to work. Their organization provides equipment and services to help individuals with disabilities to rejoin the work force. As I have determined that I will remain in the construction industry, I will be using my design skills and also provide consulting services for residential construction and remodeling. Having a vehicle to do site visits is crucial to the success of my business. The MRC has offered to provide the modifications to a vehicle that would suit my needs, but I have to provide a vehicle that meets their criteria.
I have had a driving evaluation where it was determined that I would best be suited for a minivan that is setup with a lowered floor, a side entry ramp, and hand controls that would allow me to drive myself around. Unfortunately, I don't have a minivan that meets MRC's requirements and will have to purchase one. This is why I have setup this fundraiser, I'm asking for your help to raise enough money to purchase a vehicle that I can have modified.
Thank you for taking the time to read my story and I greatly appreciate any donation to help me purchase the van I will need to pursue my self-employment goals.
Sincerely,
Chris Bouwer
Also, check out Empower SCI's website:
http://www.empowersci.org/
Or like them on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/EmpowerSCI?fref=ts
After being transferred to Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Boston, MA, I spent the next three months relearning so many of the things that I has once taken for granted. While struggling to conquer these tasks, I maintained a positive outlook on my future and was comforted by the unbelievable support that I received from family, friends, and the staff at the hospital.
Upon my return home, I quickly realized how different being at home would be. Relying heavily on others to perform daily living activities became part of my normal routine, and I knew that I would need to get my independence back if I planned to keep my sanity. I went through outpatient therapies that help me get back on the right track, but it wasn't until I got involved with Empower SCI that I truly grasped my potential.
Empower SCI's pilot program in 2012 was ironically held at Stony Brook University across the road from where I had done my ICU. Empower really opened up my eyes to how much more independent I could become, and after spending a single week with this amazing group of people, I had achieved skills and techniques that put me well on my way toward greater independence. Once home, I strived to become even more independent by working on other skills and perfecting those I had already learned. This geared me up for this year's two week Empower program. This summer I returned home a whole new set of skills and I am now on the threshold of total independence.
It's been a little over two years since my accident, and I've made amazing progress in my recovery to the thanks of so many! The next big step toward being completely independent will be getting behind the wheel again. Currently, I transfer into a family vehicle and have to rely on someone else to drive me to and from appointments, shopping, and everything else I have to do. Having my own vehicle to drive myself around is really the final step towards my independence.
I have been working with the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC) for the last year and a half to help me get back to work. Their organization provides equipment and services to help individuals with disabilities to rejoin the work force. As I have determined that I will remain in the construction industry, I will be using my design skills and also provide consulting services for residential construction and remodeling. Having a vehicle to do site visits is crucial to the success of my business. The MRC has offered to provide the modifications to a vehicle that would suit my needs, but I have to provide a vehicle that meets their criteria.
I have had a driving evaluation where it was determined that I would best be suited for a minivan that is setup with a lowered floor, a side entry ramp, and hand controls that would allow me to drive myself around. Unfortunately, I don't have a minivan that meets MRC's requirements and will have to purchase one. This is why I have setup this fundraiser, I'm asking for your help to raise enough money to purchase a vehicle that I can have modified.
Thank you for taking the time to read my story and I greatly appreciate any donation to help me purchase the van I will need to pursue my self-employment goals.
Sincerely,
Chris Bouwer
Also, check out Empower SCI's website:
http://www.empowersci.org/
Or like them on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/EmpowerSCI?fref=ts
Organizer
Chris Bouwer
Organizer
Granville, MA
