Help Nicholas Get The Wheelchair He Deserves
Donation protected
Update:
Your kindness and generosity made this possible! Our family was able to put the donations collected towards the purchase of the power chair Nicholas needed. We have provided photos below of yesterdays special delivery! Thank you will never be enough, God Bless!
Just weeks before Christmas 2013, Nicholas Hovland was involved in a motor vehicle accident that nearly took his life. He was 20 years old. Initially, the doctors said Nicholas was brain dead and was not expected to survive. Being the fighter we have always known him to be, Nicholas surprised everyone and began to show signs of brain activity. An emergency craniotomy followed requiring the removal of a portion of his skull due to swelling in his brain. Nicholas spent the next 10 months in the Hospital and a sub -acute setting where he received physical, occupational and speech therapy. Nicholas was discharged home nearly one year after his accident in October of 2014. Since then Nicholas' family has paid out of pocket for at home continued therapy twice a week, until the Covid-19 pandemic hit. Nicholas' parents, Mike and Olga, have been working different shifts since the accident to provide for his care. This has placed an enormous strain on Nicholas and his family. The pandemic has limited the services that he has been able to receive in regards to his therapy and recovery. Nicholas had been working hard with his therapists to strengthen his arms and legs as well as prevent the negative consequences of immobility. He received a standing frame, which assists him into upright standing. This allows him the opportunity to put weight through his legs, stretch his muscles and improve his upright tolerance so that he can engage with his family. This is no easy task and takes at least 2-3 people to transfer him in and out of the standing machine. Unfortunately, Nicholas has begun to present back pain and an abnormal tone in his most affected leg.
Below is a photo of Nicholas experiencing this wheelchair in a demo fitting. He was able to use the controls to safely go from sitting to standing and is looking forward to making new advances to his life!
Below is the denial letter we received from his insurance provider. We are reaching out for assistance in obtaining the power wheelchair Nicholas desperately needs. It will assist him in moving from the seated to standing position with the control of a joystick. A wheelchair like this one will allow Nicholas unlimited standing and weight bearing opportunities throughout the day as well as significantly reduce the manual burden on his family. It will give him the independence and freedom to control his own comfort and body position.
Nicholas has come so far over the past 8 years. It is truly unfortunate that after multiple appeals, he has been denied the coverage needed to cover the cost of the device. Through his incredible effort and dedication, he has the ability to communicate, work a computer with assistance, and perform some self-care activities like self-feeding. We know, given the opportunity Nicholas will successfully demonstrate the ability to operate this power wheelchair he so desperately needs. This wheelchair will allow him and his family more opportunities for outings and social interactions in the community.
With the love and support of his family and friends, Nicholas has thrived, and truly shown us all the meaning of strength and willpower. We have reached a point in time, where financial help is needed to purchase this specialized wheelchair.
We appreciate any donation to Nicholas and his family in order to reach our goal. No amount is too small.
We Love Nico with all of our hearts.
The best in our family goes out to the best in yours.
Your kindness and generosity made this possible! Our family was able to put the donations collected towards the purchase of the power chair Nicholas needed. We have provided photos below of yesterdays special delivery! Thank you will never be enough, God Bless!
Just weeks before Christmas 2013, Nicholas Hovland was involved in a motor vehicle accident that nearly took his life. He was 20 years old. Initially, the doctors said Nicholas was brain dead and was not expected to survive. Being the fighter we have always known him to be, Nicholas surprised everyone and began to show signs of brain activity. An emergency craniotomy followed requiring the removal of a portion of his skull due to swelling in his brain. Nicholas spent the next 10 months in the Hospital and a sub -acute setting where he received physical, occupational and speech therapy. Nicholas was discharged home nearly one year after his accident in October of 2014. Since then Nicholas' family has paid out of pocket for at home continued therapy twice a week, until the Covid-19 pandemic hit. Nicholas' parents, Mike and Olga, have been working different shifts since the accident to provide for his care. This has placed an enormous strain on Nicholas and his family. The pandemic has limited the services that he has been able to receive in regards to his therapy and recovery. Nicholas had been working hard with his therapists to strengthen his arms and legs as well as prevent the negative consequences of immobility. He received a standing frame, which assists him into upright standing. This allows him the opportunity to put weight through his legs, stretch his muscles and improve his upright tolerance so that he can engage with his family. This is no easy task and takes at least 2-3 people to transfer him in and out of the standing machine. Unfortunately, Nicholas has begun to present back pain and an abnormal tone in his most affected leg.
Below is a photo of Nicholas experiencing this wheelchair in a demo fitting. He was able to use the controls to safely go from sitting to standing and is looking forward to making new advances to his life!
Below is the denial letter we received from his insurance provider. We are reaching out for assistance in obtaining the power wheelchair Nicholas desperately needs. It will assist him in moving from the seated to standing position with the control of a joystick. A wheelchair like this one will allow Nicholas unlimited standing and weight bearing opportunities throughout the day as well as significantly reduce the manual burden on his family. It will give him the independence and freedom to control his own comfort and body position.
Nicholas has come so far over the past 8 years. It is truly unfortunate that after multiple appeals, he has been denied the coverage needed to cover the cost of the device. Through his incredible effort and dedication, he has the ability to communicate, work a computer with assistance, and perform some self-care activities like self-feeding. We know, given the opportunity Nicholas will successfully demonstrate the ability to operate this power wheelchair he so desperately needs. This wheelchair will allow him and his family more opportunities for outings and social interactions in the community.
With the love and support of his family and friends, Nicholas has thrived, and truly shown us all the meaning of strength and willpower. We have reached a point in time, where financial help is needed to purchase this specialized wheelchair.
We appreciate any donation to Nicholas and his family in order to reach our goal. No amount is too small.
We Love Nico with all of our hearts.
The best in our family goes out to the best in yours.
Organizer and beneficiary
Jacqueline Fernandez
Organizer
San Francisco, CA
Olga Hovland
Beneficiary