Brandon's lift chair and leg braces
Donation protected
My name is Michelle Mcnichol I am the parent of a Trauma Brain Injury patient who's recovery so far has been amazing. He was diagnosed with Bipolar years ago which is a very complexed complicated disease to understand and treat. Unfortunately, medical insurance does not cover some of the treatments. My son was unable to see a Psychiatrist because his insurance denied it and he was unable to work do to this disease so the cost of out-of-pocket payment was not a option for him. He fought this disease for years his depression went uncontrolled unable to get prescriptions for the much needed medications to keep his depression under controll. After years he gave in to the depression and tried to take his own life. I will never forget that phone call a Mothers nightmare could not even come close to explaining the way I was feeling when I dropped the phone and collapsed on my kitchen floor and just sobbed. I had to turn to my husband and tell him I never seen so much pain in his face for 33 years I have known him. My son was so fortunate to have a remarkable surgeon Dr Castaglia on duty at ECMC trauma center when he arrived , brain surgery was performed immediately. We were told the first 72 hours were critical and Brandon also had to do his part in the fight. During his recovery, still in the Trauma Center he had a stroke which ultimately caused a lot of the conditions he is dealing with daily. The morning we called the nurses station because this was during the November storm so getting to Hospital to see him was not a option, when she told us he opened his eyes tears just flowed but happy tears this time. It has been 16 months since the accident and he is improving daily he so loved life. The sad part is when his father had cancer Brandon was by his side the whole time never giving up on him just like we as parents can't give up on my son and never will. Everything I have received for him has been a fight and continues to be a fight. My husband and myself have paid so much out-of-pocket expenses that we just don't have any left to contribute to him. We fought to get him out of a nursing home and to Schenectady to Sunnyview Rehab center because we were told by Doctor at the nursing home he would be on the Vent Trac and feeding tube the rest of his life that was unacceptable to us the nursing home was not even trying. I hired a Attorney obtained Guardianship and was able to move him. In a matter of 5 days my son was off the vent and after that within two weeks he was off the Trac and feeding tube truly is a remarkable facility. When it was time for his release we needed to bring him home understanding he was total care but I couldn't let him go back to a nursing home he would of gave up! During his stay here my husband was again diagnosed with cancer and is still fighting this disease so we needed to start looking for other care options. I was able to find a handicapp apartment but of course, 24 hour care would be needed and we just couldn't afford paying for aides privately anymore so another fight with insurance to get the care needed. After a fight I was able to get it and my son cried like a baby when we first took him there he was so happy to have the chance to have his own apartment again. With my husbands medical bills and our monthly contributions needed to help pay his bills to keep him there we can't afford two much needed items. Brandon so needs a lift chair so he is able to get out of his wheelchair and into something comfortable and it will also help in the therapy to get him standing again. The second much needed item is leg braces the insurance did cover the first pair but unfortunately, they were made wrong to tight and hurt him that he can't wear them and insurance will not pay for a second set and we just don't have any funds available we are just in to much debt at this time. I'm not asking for any big donations or any large amount of money just enough for my son to have these things needed so he can have a chance to stand and walk again with these items I no he can do it! I don't care how long it takes to raise these funds I will never give up on him he was my first born. If only this disease could have been diagnosed when he was young and treatment could have been done. Mental Illness is a heartbreaking disease that so many people deal with on a daily basis and so many lives lost because of not being able to be treated. I would be so thankful to each and every donation given, I feel horrible having to ask but this is my only hope of being able to purchase these items. I will always fight for him and push him to recovery all I expect to get is some quality of life for him. My husband is also a strong person and he will beat his disease this would also stop him from worrying about how we can purchase these items. His gratitude would be has strong has mine. Please help us and maybe some day we will be able to help someone.
Organizer
Michelle MCNICHOL
Organizer
Lancaster, NY