Allison Dickson's Safer at Home Project

Allison Dickson has lived the saying, "I don’t need easy. I just need possible."

To the average eye, her journey has been far from easy. In fact, you could say it’s been courageous. Diagnosed with Werdnig-Hoffman Muscular Dystrophy when she was 15 months old, she was given only a year to live (she's now in her 40s — don't tell Allison Dickson she can't do something difficult). Not one to let physical limitations hold her back, she graduated third in her class from Temple High School, summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Southwestern University, and valedictorian of her Baylor Law School class where she was recognized as the 2017 Baylor Young Lawyer of the Year. She was active in Tri Delta at Southwestern and continues to be a mentor for the sorority. Since her return to her hometown of Temple following law school, Allison has been an active community volunteer and philanthropist. She was deeply involved in the Junior League of Bell County, serving on the Board of Directors for several years and even being voted in as President-Elect. Affectionately nicknamed “Temple’s Sweetheart,” Allison inspires others daily through her positivity, faith, and determination.

Allison has been raising money for years for scholarships for her high school, undergraduate university, and law school, various non-profit projects, programs at the local children’s hospital, and more. Alli is wonderful at asking for help with people’s money or time when it benefits someone ELSE — donations for a non-profit or important cause or time from friends and family to give her mom, Johnnie, a break — but hesitates to ask for anything if it directly benefits Allison herself. Now we have an opportunity to give back to Allison to make it possible for her to do more of the unique good she does for our community. 

GET TO KNOW ALLISON AND JOHNNIE
Don't know Allison? Check out her website  justneedpossible.com or connect with her on social media @AlliJD3  on Facebook , Instagram , and Twitter .

Johnnie Dickson, Allison’s mom, has dutifully cared for Allison her entire life. Johnnie is now experiencing symptoms of Alzheimer’s and relies on Allison’s support more than ever.

WHY ALLISON AND JOHNNIE NEED OUR HELP NOW
The recent weather emergency across the state of Texas highlighted an issue in the Dickson home — many of her essential medical machines are electric and don’t have battery capabilities. A power loss of only a few hours would likely necessitate going to the hospital for basic respiratory and feeding tube support. Due to her unique medical condition, she is at high risk for serious complications from COVID-19 and other illnesses and must do everything possible to stay out of the hospital or a group facility. The following are things that are needed to make it possible for Allison to stay safe at home longer and to make their home safer for her than it currently is.

INITIAL GOALS
Our initial goals include items that would ensure the health and safety of Allison and Johnnie in their home. 

Here are our initial goals, in order of priority:
- Home generator - Allison's feeding machine (her only method of receiving food and water since her illness in 2014), respiratory support machine, Oxygen concentrator, hospital bed, power wheelchair, nurses' monitor, and emergency communication systems are all electric and do not have backup power.  
- Upgrade security/medical/fire/carbon monoxide/nurse staff monitor systems - These systems could all be updated to better fit the Dicksons’ current and future needs.
- Air purifier system - An integrated air purifier system would improve Allison’s respiratory issues, the reason she is often admitted to the hospital.
- Van/lift maintenance - Allison and Johnnie currently have a 2005 model van with a lift — Allison’s only method of transportation — that needs maintenance and upgrades.
- Service dog + care - A service dog would be incredibly helpful for emergency assistance and provide more independence and companionship for Allison. 
- Funds for recurring medically necessary items - The pandemic has made necessary medical items like gloves for nurses far more expensive and difficult to purchase. These funds would also go toward machine filters, medications, power wheelchair maintenance, sanitation and cleaning supplies, and other medical and nursing supplies.
ULTIMATE WISH LIST
If the above needs are met, there are several items in the Dickson home we'd love to upgrade for them to meet Allison's unique needs and create a safer environment for Johnnie as she ages and her Alzheimer’s progresses. The Dicksons have enjoyed living in their home since 1968 (Allison was born in 1979) but it has never been modified for wheelchair-accessibility other than minor adjustments.

Here’s our ultimate wish list, in order of priority:
- Swapping carpet for hard floors throughout - Dust and allergens in the carpet cause further respiratory complications. It is also more difficult to navigate her power wheelchair on carpet.
- Permanent wheelchair ramps - The Dicksons currently have an unstable temporary ramp for one door and none for others.
- Widening doorways - Allison does not have access to several spaces inside and outside of their home due to her power wheelchair’s size.
- Converting space to medical storage + nurses' station - Medical storage has taken over the Dickson’s dining room since Allison’s 2014 illness. A permanent and organized set-up elsewhere in their home would help her nurses manage Allison's day-to-day care.
- Raising living room flooring so Allison can access it - Allison hasn't been able to use the living room due to it being a sunken space. 
- Renovating the bathroom to aid with Allison’s needs - Allison’s bathroom is not currently wheelchair-accessible.
- Bonus space for Allison - If all the above needs were met, we would love to clean out an existing bedroom and add some wheelchair-height furniture to give Allison an accessible space to enjoy her hobbies.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
1. DONATE if you can! All donations will be made to Johnnie Dickson, Allison's mother, as she owns the home they share. The account will be managed by Lauren Weldon May, Joshua Hedrick, and Tom Blackburn. 
2. There are a lot of moving parts in a project like this, so we'd love to know of any CONNECTIONS you might have in the Central Texas area that could assist with any of our wish list items — companies willing to offer discounts, donate labor time, etc.  
3. SHARE our fundraiser with your friends and family!