Hi Friends and Family:

 

Thank you to everyone that has been following my journey, so I thought I would send out an update as to how I am doing.

It has been an eventful 9 months.  I finished my 2nd round of in-patient physical rehab at the end of October.   Since then, I have had 3 additional hospital stays, once for Sepsis and twice for Autonomic Dysreflexia.  Not my favorite part of having a SCI.  In between the medical mishaps, I have been going to PT and OT at least twice a week, sometimes 3 times.  I am grateful for all of the wonderful therapists that have helped me along the way.  I have met the most amazing people through the Spinal Cord Community in Austin and have been given some awesome opportunities to learn new things.  I went snow skiing in Arizona, learned to drive with hand controls, had the opportunity to go deer hunting with Disabled Outdoorsman and visit the Grand Canyon.  I am feeling very confident in my new way of life and I am ready to get out into the work force.  I currently have my truck that I had before my accident.  I have talked to several SCI friends that drive trucks, and it seems to be the smartest thing financially to keep it, so I am getting new hand controls, a lift for my wheelchair and an adaptive sliding board so that I can get into the truck.  Once I have everything installed, I am ready to get back to work!  I am ready to make my own money and live on my own again. 

 

To get my truck adapted so I can drive, it will cost $10,000.  My parents have already helped so much with my medical bills and adapting our house so it is accessible for me, that I do not want to ask for more.  Thank you so much to everyone that supported me through my Go Fund Me immediately following my accident.  With that money I was able to pay my truck payment every month so I would have it to use once I am ready.  I cannot thank you enough for that.  I figured that I would try one more time to see if I could raise an additional $5000 to adapt my truck and start driving.  If you feel like this is something that you would want to do, please feel free to donate.  I want to thank my grandmother, Gwen Flood, as well as, Al and Karen Myers for getting me to the first $5000.  I wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for God, my  family and my friends.  Thanks so much!!

With love, Colton