Please help Jessica walk again and regain more independence

I'm Jessica VanHook. In 2019 I was shot in a home invasion and ever since I have been readjusting and trying to figure out how to survive as a paraplegic full time wheelchair user. I have been living independently for the last few years. While I have been able to just barely make it by on my disability payments, it is not enough for me to afford the medical equipment and treatments I need for my condition to improve.

I have been fit for KAFO (Knee Ankle Foot Orthotic) braces that would give me the ability to start walking again, but even with my Medicare coverage, my copay is still $1,300, this more than my entire disability payment, and that isn't including the $170 specialized walker and physical therapy ($360) I'd need to be able to safely get up and going again.

If we were to exceed the fundraising goal I would love to be able to put that money towards some other pieces of mobility equipment that would also greatly improve my life. A Zeen mobility device ($4,840) would allow me to use my braces outside the home and walk for longer distances. A Rio Firefly motor attachment ($3,000) would, in the winter, allow me to safely leave my home in the snow without risk of getting stuck in the snow and, in the summer, would improve my quality of life by allowing me to access nature again. This would also make it much easier for me to try to go back to school if I can be more sure of my ability to traverse the campus in less than ideal weather.

My goal with any funds raised will be to:

Get walking:

• Paying for my KAFO braces ($1,300)

• Ordering my specialized walker https://a.co/d/0ffRVpjD ($170)

• The copay for 2 months of physical therapy ($15 per appointment 3x a week for 8 weeks = $360)

Total to get walking: $1,830

If we exceed the original goal, additional funds will be put toward:

• Zeen https://gozeen.com/pages/zeen ($4,840)

• Rio Firefly https://riomobility.com/products/firefly-2-5-electric-attachment?variant=31707253243973 ($2,649)

I have lots of short and long term goals like joining an adaptive sport and getting a degree. I have really spent a lot of time considering my options and what items would make the biggest impact on my life, goals, and ability to be more self-sufficient. Any little bit of help is greatly appreciated and will absolutely make a world of difference to me. My deepest thanks to all who share, support, or donate.

I will be sharing my journey and spreading the word about this fundraiser on my social media and making videos about the different pieces of equipment I am hoping to get, so if you would like to follow along or ask me questions feel free to check out my linktree http://linktr.ee/mrs_spacetime