Please Help Me Get My Mobility Back
Donation protected
Hello Everyone. My name is Al and
here, in a nutshell, is my story:
2013 has been an interesting year for me. I lost my job in March after 15.5 years, with the same company, due to 'Restructuring'. Just when my job search was beginning to pick up steam and I was on track with 2nd and 3rd interviews, I discovered a small ulcer under my foot the size of the tip of my index finger. That was soon followed by fever, chills and vomiting. I hesitated about going to the hospital because I knew I no longer had Medical Insurance Coverage, a position I had never been in before. Finally a family member noticed I was getting worse and basically kidnapped me and insisted that they were taking me to the nearest ER.
Within eight hours of being in the ER and subsequently admitted to the hospital, my foot, which only had a small ulcer underneath had changed dramatically and I could not believe how rapidly that had happened. Two orthopedic surgeons gave their expert opinion on what should be done and I agreed that the foot needed to be amputated ASAP. The surgery took place the following day and in less than two hours I was looking down at a perfectly rounded stump where my left foot used to be.
The whole ordeal of losing a foot happened way too quick to even register emotion and alas, I laid for days in a trance of quiet sadness, smiling at all visitors, trying to be nice to the hospital staff and not be a bother, while inside I was slowly dying, thinking that my life, as I knew it was basically over. I wondered if I had made the right decision and what would have been the alternative had I not decided to remove the 'Monster Foot' because that is exactly what it looked like.
Once the doctors had determined that the infection which had claimed my foot, had not passed to the rest of my body, the Hospital was done with me and looking to make me someone else's burden. I was accepted by a Rehabilitation Hospital where the amazing staff worked with and pushed me beyond what I thought were my limits, to come to grips with my situation and use the body I had left to try my best to have some semblance of a life without a foot.
So today I have just gotten home and all that I had learned at rehab comes into great use and I am getting around the house slowly but thus far without fall or injury. It will be approximately three months before I can begin the measurement and evaluation for a prosthesis. I attempted to go to the super market to purchase some food today. A friend was with me. It was very humbling to see that someone else had to get my borrowed wheel chair and bring it to the car door so I could hop and transfer to it. Things I took for granted all 36 years of my life thus far are now suddenly out of reach for me without the help of others.
I have attended a consultation on prosthetic limps and what kind of device I would need. I was advised that, although mine would be among the cheaper devices at some $10 000.00, this would not include the physical therapy and training on how to walk with it. At this point with no insurance or way of paying for this device, I turn to the public for any help that you can offer. I am not sure how I am going to meet my mortgage payments, utilities or any other bills but I believe this device will allow me to get out and work so I will be able to dig myself out of this hole.
I really appreciate any help you can give and if that is $1:00 or $100.00, I accept that cheerfully with a warm blessing to you for donating to my cause. I in no way think that I am the most worthy, considering all the war veterans who may be still waiting for devices such as the one that I am seeking.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read my story.
2013 has been an interesting year for me. I lost my job in March after 15.5 years, with the same company, due to 'Restructuring'. Just when my job search was beginning to pick up steam and I was on track with 2nd and 3rd interviews, I discovered a small ulcer under my foot the size of the tip of my index finger. That was soon followed by fever, chills and vomiting. I hesitated about going to the hospital because I knew I no longer had Medical Insurance Coverage, a position I had never been in before. Finally a family member noticed I was getting worse and basically kidnapped me and insisted that they were taking me to the nearest ER.
Within eight hours of being in the ER and subsequently admitted to the hospital, my foot, which only had a small ulcer underneath had changed dramatically and I could not believe how rapidly that had happened. Two orthopedic surgeons gave their expert opinion on what should be done and I agreed that the foot needed to be amputated ASAP. The surgery took place the following day and in less than two hours I was looking down at a perfectly rounded stump where my left foot used to be.
The whole ordeal of losing a foot happened way too quick to even register emotion and alas, I laid for days in a trance of quiet sadness, smiling at all visitors, trying to be nice to the hospital staff and not be a bother, while inside I was slowly dying, thinking that my life, as I knew it was basically over. I wondered if I had made the right decision and what would have been the alternative had I not decided to remove the 'Monster Foot' because that is exactly what it looked like.
Once the doctors had determined that the infection which had claimed my foot, had not passed to the rest of my body, the Hospital was done with me and looking to make me someone else's burden. I was accepted by a Rehabilitation Hospital where the amazing staff worked with and pushed me beyond what I thought were my limits, to come to grips with my situation and use the body I had left to try my best to have some semblance of a life without a foot.
So today I have just gotten home and all that I had learned at rehab comes into great use and I am getting around the house slowly but thus far without fall or injury. It will be approximately three months before I can begin the measurement and evaluation for a prosthesis. I attempted to go to the super market to purchase some food today. A friend was with me. It was very humbling to see that someone else had to get my borrowed wheel chair and bring it to the car door so I could hop and transfer to it. Things I took for granted all 36 years of my life thus far are now suddenly out of reach for me without the help of others.
I have attended a consultation on prosthetic limps and what kind of device I would need. I was advised that, although mine would be among the cheaper devices at some $10 000.00, this would not include the physical therapy and training on how to walk with it. At this point with no insurance or way of paying for this device, I turn to the public for any help that you can offer. I am not sure how I am going to meet my mortgage payments, utilities or any other bills but I believe this device will allow me to get out and work so I will be able to dig myself out of this hole.
I really appreciate any help you can give and if that is $1:00 or $100.00, I accept that cheerfully with a warm blessing to you for donating to my cause. I in no way think that I am the most worthy, considering all the war veterans who may be still waiting for devices such as the one that I am seeking.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read my story.
Organizer
Alexei Mariano Green
Organizer
Bolingbrook, IL
