Hi everyone,

In December, I underwent emergency surgery for a spinal abscess that left me with incomplete paralysis from the waist down. After a long hospital stay, I am finally home, but my recovery journey is only just beginning. My goal is to regain as much mobility and independence as possible through therapy and determination. Right now, I rely on a wheelchair and am working every day through physical therapy to rebuild strength and mobility. Doctors believe that extensive rehabilitation gives me the best chance at recovery, and I’m committed to doing everything I can to keep moving forward. Another challenge we are facing is housing. I currently live in a second-floor walk-up apartment, which is extremely difficult to navigate from a wheelchair. My family and I are actively working to find a more accessible place to live, but moving adds another financial burden during an already difficult time. Unfortunately, the financial impact of this situation has been overwhelming. While insurance helps, it only partially covers the medical equipment, care, and support I now need to safely navigate daily life and continue my recovery.

Some of the major expenses related to my recovery include a custom wheelchair, medical transfer bed, fall recovery chair lift, bathroom accessibility equipment, outstanding medical bills, ongoing physical therapy and rehabilitation beyond insurance coverage, home health aides, medical transportation for appointments, and moving costs to relocate to a more accessible living space. These are the immediate costs we are facing as I continue working toward recovery and independence.

I am incredibly grateful to have an amazing employer who has supported me throughout this entire process and allowed me to continue working so I can help maintain our household. As the primary breadwinner for my family, staying employed has been very important to me. I’m also surrounded by an incredible network of friends who have been helping my mom behind the scenes and offering support in so many ways. Even with that support, the combination of medical bills, therapy costs, accessibility equipment, and the need to relocate has placed us in a very difficult financial situation. We have set this fundraising goal to help cover critical medical equipment, accessibility needs, therapy, and moving costs as I work toward recovery and independence. Every donation—no matter the size—will go directly toward medical care, rehabilitation, and the equipment needed to help me regain mobility and safely navigate daily life. Even small contributions truly add up and help move my recovery forward.

If you are able to help, I am deeply grateful. If donating isn’t possible, sharing this page would mean just as much. Thank you for taking the time to read my story and for being part of my journey toward healing and independence.

With gratitude,

Bri