Alicia ( Rabiega ) Wade - Urgent need ADA van
Donation protected
My name is Cathy (Fertig) Lacy. This Go Fund Me page is being created for my oldest and dearest friend, Alicia (Rabiega) Wade. It was in 2013 at Mayo clinic that Alicia was diagnosed with Primary Progressive MS. This is the rarest form of MS, with only about 12% of MS patients carrying this diagnosis. Primary Progressive MS, is also called PPMS. It is a neurodegenerative disease that interferes with your brain’s ability to control body functions. The diagnosis came as a complete shock to Alicia and her family. Her husband, Jim, also has MS! Jim was diagnosed with a less severe form of MS at a younger age and only 5 years into their marriage. Their entire marriage has been a battle with MS in one form or another for the both of them. Thankfully, Jim has remained stable for many years. After the initial shock wore off, Alicia got ready for the battle she knew lay ahead of her. Sadly, there is no cure for MS. She made lifestyle changes, trying anything she could to slow down the progression. But yet, the disease progression kept coming and Alicia’s mobility was getting worse.
Sticks and Stones: In 2017, Alicia suffered from a severe case of very large kidney stones that put her in the hospital. Alicia had to undergo 3 kidney surgeries and have kidney stents put in. Anyone who is familiar with MS knows that something like this takes a huge toll on a MS patient. This hospital stay set her back and she lost quite a bit of her mobility. She was now using a walker full time and wheelchair for longer distances. But Alicia is not a quitter, she is a fighter. Things were slowly improving and her physical strength was making some positive progress. But then, tragedy struck again.
On My Last Nerve!: At the end of 2018, Alicia suffered from a severe pinched nerve. The pain was indescribable and her right leg and foot stopped moving all together. It was as if she had a stroke. She went by ambulance and was once again admitted to the hospital. Little did Alicia know that she would be hospitalized and away from home for over three months. Once the physician team addressed the nerve, Alicia was at ground zero with her mobility and lack of strength. After one week in the hospital, she was discharged from a nursing unit and moved to inpatient rehabilitation for the next 5 weeks for intense treatments. Alicia spent Christmas and New Years in the hospital. After 5 weeks, insurance dictated that Alicia go to a cheaper alternative, such as a nursing home/rehab facility. This would be her 3rd location. Alicia lasted there only 5 days when she contracted the flu from sick staff and other residents, which resulted in her being rushed back to the hospital. She was admitted for 13 days with severe flu complications. PPMS complicated the flu. However, with the grace of God, she recovered, but her mobility was gone once again.
On The Road Again: This time, Alicia was transferred to another facility where she would live for the next 6 weeks and start intense rehabilitation once again. This was the 5th facility that Alicia lived in since the end of 2018.
Life’s Lemons: The flu almost took her, it didn’t, but it did cause irreversible damage to her walking mobility. This illness and 5 facility stay has put Alicia in a wheelchair permanently. This was not expected and neither Alicia nor Jim was prepared for it. This disease has robbed my dearest friend her ability to work and drive, her freedom, her independence and at times, her dignity. But somehow, her fighting spirit resurfaces, even if weakly at times. Alicia can no longer climb stairs. She has had to get a hospital bed put in her living room. Life as she knew it changed.
COVID-19 Casualties: Since Alicia and her husband are both considered high risk with a poor outcome for COVID-19, Jim took FMLA and they hunkered down in quarantine. Alicia had a full-time caregiver, while Jim was at work. But now with COVID-19 and Jim on FMLA with no pay, there was no way to make this work financially. Jim needed a little more time to take care of Alicia, so he asked his employer for an extension to his FMLA, but it was denied. The loss of Jim’s job resulted in a loss of not only income, but medical benefits as well. It has been one thing after another for my dear friend and her husband.
This Can’t Be Happening!: During the COVID-19 pandemic, Alicia’s mom (Therese Rabiega) fell ill and became very weak. Once the medical offices opened, her mom went to see some doctors for testing. Alicia’s worse nightmare was realized last Friday, when she was told that her mother has colon cancer. The CT scans also showed a large mass on her right kidney that is also malignant. There are also questionable spots located on the head of the pancreas. I was with Alicia when the doctor called, the devastation and pain in her voice is indescribable. The anger and helplessness manifested when Alicia realized she is unable to get to her mother. To take care of her, to hold her hand during medical appointments and look her in the face to let her know what the doctors are saying. Alicia wants to be with her dear mother during this difficult time by going to her appointments and treatments. The mother-daughter bond is stronger than ever.
Transportation Needed Please!: This brings me to the reason for this Go Fund Me request. I am asking for your help to raise funds for Alicia and Jim to purchase a handicap accessible van. Alicia is homebound in a wheelchair with no way to get around. Medicare does not offer any financial assistance and their savings have been depleted due to medical bills. Hiring services are expensive and currently unattainable financially for this couple. Alicia desperately wants to be with her mother during this difficult time. This is no longer about Alicia “wanting” a handicap van, but “needing” one to support her mom during this cancer diagnosis. It is overwhelming for the family. A handicap van would allow not only allow Alicia to be with her mother, but it would also lesson her stress on how she would get to own doctor, rehabilitation and other needed appointments. Since returning home last year, she has not had access to her own handicap van. She has had to hire expensive services for transportation and pay cash. I am not even asking for funds to purchase a new state-of-the-art handicap van, they are humble and a used van would serve their purpose.
This is a very scary time for Alicia and it is very hard for her to ask for help – so I am asking for help on her behalf. Anything you might be able to donate would be very much appreciated. No amount is too small. She will be grateful for anything you can contribute, even if it is prayers. We know these are difficult times forall, but some have it worse than others. Please help if you can.
Sticks and Stones: In 2017, Alicia suffered from a severe case of very large kidney stones that put her in the hospital. Alicia had to undergo 3 kidney surgeries and have kidney stents put in. Anyone who is familiar with MS knows that something like this takes a huge toll on a MS patient. This hospital stay set her back and she lost quite a bit of her mobility. She was now using a walker full time and wheelchair for longer distances. But Alicia is not a quitter, she is a fighter. Things were slowly improving and her physical strength was making some positive progress. But then, tragedy struck again.
On My Last Nerve!: At the end of 2018, Alicia suffered from a severe pinched nerve. The pain was indescribable and her right leg and foot stopped moving all together. It was as if she had a stroke. She went by ambulance and was once again admitted to the hospital. Little did Alicia know that she would be hospitalized and away from home for over three months. Once the physician team addressed the nerve, Alicia was at ground zero with her mobility and lack of strength. After one week in the hospital, she was discharged from a nursing unit and moved to inpatient rehabilitation for the next 5 weeks for intense treatments. Alicia spent Christmas and New Years in the hospital. After 5 weeks, insurance dictated that Alicia go to a cheaper alternative, such as a nursing home/rehab facility. This would be her 3rd location. Alicia lasted there only 5 days when she contracted the flu from sick staff and other residents, which resulted in her being rushed back to the hospital. She was admitted for 13 days with severe flu complications. PPMS complicated the flu. However, with the grace of God, she recovered, but her mobility was gone once again.
On The Road Again: This time, Alicia was transferred to another facility where she would live for the next 6 weeks and start intense rehabilitation once again. This was the 5th facility that Alicia lived in since the end of 2018.
Life’s Lemons: The flu almost took her, it didn’t, but it did cause irreversible damage to her walking mobility. This illness and 5 facility stay has put Alicia in a wheelchair permanently. This was not expected and neither Alicia nor Jim was prepared for it. This disease has robbed my dearest friend her ability to work and drive, her freedom, her independence and at times, her dignity. But somehow, her fighting spirit resurfaces, even if weakly at times. Alicia can no longer climb stairs. She has had to get a hospital bed put in her living room. Life as she knew it changed.
COVID-19 Casualties: Since Alicia and her husband are both considered high risk with a poor outcome for COVID-19, Jim took FMLA and they hunkered down in quarantine. Alicia had a full-time caregiver, while Jim was at work. But now with COVID-19 and Jim on FMLA with no pay, there was no way to make this work financially. Jim needed a little more time to take care of Alicia, so he asked his employer for an extension to his FMLA, but it was denied. The loss of Jim’s job resulted in a loss of not only income, but medical benefits as well. It has been one thing after another for my dear friend and her husband.
This Can’t Be Happening!: During the COVID-19 pandemic, Alicia’s mom (Therese Rabiega) fell ill and became very weak. Once the medical offices opened, her mom went to see some doctors for testing. Alicia’s worse nightmare was realized last Friday, when she was told that her mother has colon cancer. The CT scans also showed a large mass on her right kidney that is also malignant. There are also questionable spots located on the head of the pancreas. I was with Alicia when the doctor called, the devastation and pain in her voice is indescribable. The anger and helplessness manifested when Alicia realized she is unable to get to her mother. To take care of her, to hold her hand during medical appointments and look her in the face to let her know what the doctors are saying. Alicia wants to be with her dear mother during this difficult time by going to her appointments and treatments. The mother-daughter bond is stronger than ever.
Transportation Needed Please!: This brings me to the reason for this Go Fund Me request. I am asking for your help to raise funds for Alicia and Jim to purchase a handicap accessible van. Alicia is homebound in a wheelchair with no way to get around. Medicare does not offer any financial assistance and their savings have been depleted due to medical bills. Hiring services are expensive and currently unattainable financially for this couple. Alicia desperately wants to be with her mother during this difficult time. This is no longer about Alicia “wanting” a handicap van, but “needing” one to support her mom during this cancer diagnosis. It is overwhelming for the family. A handicap van would allow not only allow Alicia to be with her mother, but it would also lesson her stress on how she would get to own doctor, rehabilitation and other needed appointments. Since returning home last year, she has not had access to her own handicap van. She has had to hire expensive services for transportation and pay cash. I am not even asking for funds to purchase a new state-of-the-art handicap van, they are humble and a used van would serve their purpose.
This is a very scary time for Alicia and it is very hard for her to ask for help – so I am asking for help on her behalf. Anything you might be able to donate would be very much appreciated. No amount is too small. She will be grateful for anything you can contribute, even if it is prayers. We know these are difficult times forall, but some have it worse than others. Please help if you can.
Organizer and beneficiary
Cathy Lacy
Organizer
Chicago, IL
Jim Wade
Beneficiary