Fund My Friend's Freedom-A Power Chair and Therapy

Hello, my name is Melissa Johanson, and the individual you see in the bed beside me is my good friend, Gabriel Harris. Unfortunately, Gabriel finds himself confined to his bed due to the unavailability of funding for a power chair. Gabriel is a C2-C3 quadriplegic, meaning he lacks mobility from the neck down and relies on a breathing life support system. His paralysis resulted from a tragic accident in 2008, altering his life irreversibly. As if living as a quadriplegic is not hard enough, he is now also further restricted to being in bed 24/7.

I have witnessed Gabriel's remarkable resilience and fortitude in adapting to his disability, a display of strength and courage unlike any I've seen before. For many of us, comprehending the challenges associated with such a profound disability is daunting, if not inconceivable. Compounding this adversity, Gabriel encounters a distressing lack of support and continual hurdles within our healthcare system, hindering his access to necessary resources that could enhance his quality of life. Despite all he has been through, Gabe still manages to maintain hope and push forward every day, striving to reach a better place. Please help us take him to this better place.

Gabriel urgently requires a new power chair to liberate him from prolonged bed confinement, during which he frequently develops painful and potentially dangerous bed sores. Additionally, he seeks consistent therapy to address circulation issues, alleviate pain, and potentially mitigate nerve damage. Witnessing Gabriel's relentless advocacy for his life, adaptation to disability, and pursuit of improved health and well-being, it's evident to me that he merits both respite and support.

Gabriel's journey is a testament to his resilience, but he shouldn't have to navigate it alone. It's time for us to rally behind him, extending the support and resources he needs to lead a fulfilling life despite his challenges.

Donations will go towards supporting the following three key aspects to improving Gabriel’s quality of living:

1) A New Power Chair: Gabriel has been without a chair since 2014, as his wheelchair reached the end of its lifespan. Its battery and parts are now obsolete, leaving him without essential means of mobility, such as the ability to get out of bed. The price tag is a staggering $54,600 Canadian, not including tax, [approximately $70,000 with tax], to which our government does not contribute.

2) Business Tools & Work Equipment: Gabriel aims to achieve financial independence through stock trading. To support this goal, he requires a new PC laptop ($1750) with Dragon Dictate Software Office Edition ($1000).

3) Physical Therapy: For the past 14 years, Gabriel has not received physical therapy due to financial constraints and the lack of support from the system. Neuro-physiotherapy costs $300 per hour, and to achieve results and provide some relief, he requires a minimum of one treatment per week.

All these supports represent the initial steps towards Gabriel's belief in leading a more independent and fulfilling life. Throughout his journey, he has not lost hope or spirit, and I implore your assistance in sustaining his perseverance.

You may have already seen that Gabriel has a GoFundMe page. I have created one on his behalf because he is still $35,000 short of his goal. My aim is to bridge this gap. If you have already contributed, I extend my heartfelt gratitude. If you can manage to contribute again, I thank you once more for your generosity and support. If you are just learning about this for the first time, I sincerely thank you for your consideration and support.

To hear more from Gabriel and his story, please take the time to watch his short video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2F_Ylw7jX2c