Debbie's van and wheelchair
Donation protected
My life has been full of challenges. When I was 8 I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis and of course had rare complications with my heart. Early on my Dad told me how life wasn't fair and you just had to do your best and keep trying and so I do. I like to say I'm like the Little red hen from the story that learned to do things for herself. I continue having medical issues today. After I graduated high school I married my "high school sweetheart" and 38 years later are still together through it all. I had two beautiful kids both with challenges as well. After my daughter was born i was unable to work again .
After my son was born I became a full time electric wheelchair user. I adapted and do it all. I learned to clean the shower with a mop. I kept my kids in over-all so I could grab them off the ground when they didn't want to leave from the park. That is why my Niece calls me Wonder Woman, she "wonders how I do it all."
My father was diagnosed with myotonic dystrophy.
My Mother also had health issues requiring open heart surgery. Between taking the kids to extra speech classes, helping my parents, helping my Sister with Cervical Palsy my life was busy and i had my own obstacles, surgeries and falling and breaking both legs at once ect...
In 1999, life was great.
We were able to buy a house that was perfect, no steps for my chair, wider doors, and a roll in shower. My parents even bought a house next door set-up for my Dad also now wheelchair confind. My husband had plans to commute for a few years to max out his retirement and go into trucking for another 20 years. However, my Son started having more problems with medical issues.
Guess life was getting to good with the new house and such. Two years after the move, I found my life back to its normal craziness with my Father at one end of the hospital dying and my Husband at the other having a kidney removed from cancer. My Father did pass and my Husband's challenges just started. He kept me busy with a major infection, abdominal hernias, and treatments for bladder cancer. Somewhere in the middle my Daughter started having unknown medical problems. With my Husbands next surgery, he started having eye problems which in time his left him legally blind. End of the dream, no second job only disability income.
Thing started to calm again. This time my Sister, got herself in trouble and got kicked out of her apartment. So she lived with us until I was able to get things fixed. She got her own place but I was still her all around support who got the calls during the night when her wheelchair broke or her aid was sick. There are a lot of episodes left out, just too much to mention. Sometimes it feels like I am cursed or something but then I think of my family and know I am actually blessed.
During this all, I talk to students at the local High Schools "day of respect" and try to instill respect for the disabled population and pass on the I can do it attitude I have acquired. I also run our Neighborhood Watch.
In the past, it always seems my guardian angel has always been able to help me. I cut coupons, shop sales, add a little more water to the soup and somehow a refund shows up in just time. However, I finally find myself at an impasse. My van has a lot of miles on it and a lot of mechanical issues. My Daughter has a medical condition we are working with Stanford for and requires me to drive her back and forth to work, 30 miles each way and 90 plus miles to Stanford about once a month, plus taking care of everyone else. I need a new wheelchair accessible van.
Second, I just found out that Medicare changed rules for wheelchairs and now I don't qualify for a custom wheelchair that allows me to do the things I currently do. I need a chair that is narrow and lower than average. I need to be able to reach the ground without sitting at edge of my chair so I can mop the floor using my feet.
If I get the wheelchair Medicare covers, I will be stuck being dependant for most things.
Lastly, I want to pass on a game I learned to play when I was a kid in the hospital. I smile at people who are looking in need of a better day.
Yes, smiles are contagious. They change the mood of the person receiving it and the person doing it. In this rush world we need more smiles, so try it! Smile at a stranger and I bet 98% of the time they will smile at you too. If they don't, be the little red hen and keep trying.
The vans cost $60-80,000
Wheelchair about $10,000
No words are enough to say how greatful I am for even considering donating to my cause but THANK YOU!
After my son was born I became a full time electric wheelchair user. I adapted and do it all. I learned to clean the shower with a mop. I kept my kids in over-all so I could grab them off the ground when they didn't want to leave from the park. That is why my Niece calls me Wonder Woman, she "wonders how I do it all."
My father was diagnosed with myotonic dystrophy.
My Mother also had health issues requiring open heart surgery. Between taking the kids to extra speech classes, helping my parents, helping my Sister with Cervical Palsy my life was busy and i had my own obstacles, surgeries and falling and breaking both legs at once ect...
In 1999, life was great.
We were able to buy a house that was perfect, no steps for my chair, wider doors, and a roll in shower. My parents even bought a house next door set-up for my Dad also now wheelchair confind. My husband had plans to commute for a few years to max out his retirement and go into trucking for another 20 years. However, my Son started having more problems with medical issues.
Guess life was getting to good with the new house and such. Two years after the move, I found my life back to its normal craziness with my Father at one end of the hospital dying and my Husband at the other having a kidney removed from cancer. My Father did pass and my Husband's challenges just started. He kept me busy with a major infection, abdominal hernias, and treatments for bladder cancer. Somewhere in the middle my Daughter started having unknown medical problems. With my Husbands next surgery, he started having eye problems which in time his left him legally blind. End of the dream, no second job only disability income.
Thing started to calm again. This time my Sister, got herself in trouble and got kicked out of her apartment. So she lived with us until I was able to get things fixed. She got her own place but I was still her all around support who got the calls during the night when her wheelchair broke or her aid was sick. There are a lot of episodes left out, just too much to mention. Sometimes it feels like I am cursed or something but then I think of my family and know I am actually blessed.
During this all, I talk to students at the local High Schools "day of respect" and try to instill respect for the disabled population and pass on the I can do it attitude I have acquired. I also run our Neighborhood Watch.
In the past, it always seems my guardian angel has always been able to help me. I cut coupons, shop sales, add a little more water to the soup and somehow a refund shows up in just time. However, I finally find myself at an impasse. My van has a lot of miles on it and a lot of mechanical issues. My Daughter has a medical condition we are working with Stanford for and requires me to drive her back and forth to work, 30 miles each way and 90 plus miles to Stanford about once a month, plus taking care of everyone else. I need a new wheelchair accessible van.
Second, I just found out that Medicare changed rules for wheelchairs and now I don't qualify for a custom wheelchair that allows me to do the things I currently do. I need a chair that is narrow and lower than average. I need to be able to reach the ground without sitting at edge of my chair so I can mop the floor using my feet.
If I get the wheelchair Medicare covers, I will be stuck being dependant for most things.
Lastly, I want to pass on a game I learned to play when I was a kid in the hospital. I smile at people who are looking in need of a better day.
Yes, smiles are contagious. They change the mood of the person receiving it and the person doing it. In this rush world we need more smiles, so try it! Smile at a stranger and I bet 98% of the time they will smile at you too. If they don't, be the little red hen and keep trying.
The vans cost $60-80,000
Wheelchair about $10,000
No words are enough to say how greatful I am for even considering donating to my cause but THANK YOU!
Organizer
Debbie Johnson
Organizer
Modesto, CA
