For those of you that know Elzey (LZ), you know he is not going to ask for help.  LZ has always done everything himself and for others including building, cutting firewood, plowing, etc.    After 30-40 years of residential and commercial construction projects and property maintenance in the lakes and mountain regions of NH, LZ and my mom downsized a few years ago and moved from Campton to build their 800sf so called "cabin in the woods" for retirement.  It's small and cozy and they have made it a great home. The past few years have been exciting and challenging with some unexpected bumps along the way.   Last year LZ's wife, my mother Elaine, was diagnosed with breast cancer and was successfully treated at Littleton Hospital; as of her last appointment her cancer remains in remission.  As they rebounded from that challenge and things seemed to be getting back to normal, LZ had an unexpected fall in their icy driveway last February that broke the ball of his hip.  A bumpy surgery followed that left him in critical condition in the ICU for a few days.  Fortunately, LZ pulled through the surgery and with lots of hard work he made great progress recovering for a few months until June when the doctors told him that he had avascular necrosis in his hip and it would need to be replaced.  Another surgery in June for a total hip replacement followed and he remained positive about a recovery that should be easier than the last one as he was in better shape, the surgery was planned and he knew all of the necessary exercises - he was a hip surgery pro at this point.  Unfortunately, about 26 days post hip replacement, on July 16, 2016 he became paralyzed from T3 down. He was transported by ambulance from home to Littleton Hospital then to Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, NH where he remained for 20 days. After extensive testing he was diagnosed with Transverse Myelitis with concurrent Meningitis.

His Physicians recommended he then be transferred to an acute rehab facility and he was fortunate to be accepted at Spaulding Rehab Hospital in Charlestown, Mass.  He remained at Spaulding Rehab for 39 days where he learned the skills to adjust to his new disability.  He and my Mom returned to their cabin in the woods on September 12, 2016. 

Because Medicare coverage is limited, LZ and my mother have been spending their limited retirement savings faster than expected to cover medical bills and they now face substantial accessibility upgrades to allow them to remain in their cabin in the woods.  We are doing what we can to help with upgrades but any help to buy a stair lift, Hoyer lift, an ADA compliant bathroom and other accommodations would be a great help and hopefully allow them to stay in their retirement home for longer.  His insurance will not cover an electric wheel chair because his hands still work so if there is a little extra we will try to get one of those.  We will also possibly try to make some of his hobbies like 4 wheeling, spending time outdoors, BBQs and woodworking easier and more accessible as well. Thank you for anything that you can do to help.