Help A Quadriplegic Get A New Bed

Yvette St. Onge is organizing this fundraiser.

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Introduction & Nicki’s Story

Hello, my name is Yvette and am raising funds to purchase a specialty bed on behalf of my sister, Nicolette. My sister Nicki is a sweet 63 year old lady who has been a quadriplegic since she was 16 years old. Her Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) was caused during an incident of domestic violence by her then boyfriend.

The boyfriend’s punishment was 28 days at a work farm; Nicki has been confined to her bed or her wheelchair for the past 46 years.

In 1977, Nicki was diagnosed with incomplete-quadriplegia coupled with Horner’s Syndrome Frankel Class C. She also has acute hyper-sensitivity where the message becomes garbled from the spine to the brain. When she begins to get a headache, she needs to be sat upright immediately, otherwise she goes into Autonomic Dysreflexia (AD) which is life-threatening (heart attack or stroke) if not addressed immediately.

Due to the specificity of her injury, Nicki has a neurogenic bladder which means that it is incredibly spastic. Nicki’s AD condition is a direct result of her neurogenic bladder. With the Freedom bed as explained below, Nicki will be able to sit herself up with a push of a button, potentially saving her own life.

Nicki’s Diagnosis

Incomplete-quadriplegia w/ Horner’s Syndrome Frankel Class C
Spinal Shock due to two contusions to the spine
Left Elbow: Ulnar Nerve Transposition
Left Shoulder: Osteonecrosis of Humeral Head (aka crushed shoulder)
Right Hand & Forearm / CRPS (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome)
Osteoarthritis with aging complicated by SCI

Nicki has only been able to raise her right arm and has a complete lack of the ability to grasp in both hands. A year after her SCI, her best friend (Nicki P) taped a ping pong paddle to her hand so that she could participate in a ping pong game. There are many different levels of incomplete quadriplegia and with age, her SCI has worsened.

Nicki has been cared for throughout the years by her family members without relying on outside help. In the early years by immediate family members and then, by her husband Rick, who was a stellar caregiver until his untimely death in 2002. Upon his death, their two children, Ben and Cassie (ages 16 & 13 respectively) stepped up as her caregivers.

Unfortunately IHSS (In Home Support Services) doesn’t allow for the 24/7 care that she requires, so her son Ben continues to be her primary caregiver.

Purpose of Fundraiser

Nicki’s condition has now deteriorated. This fundraiser is to supply Nicki with a much needed specialty bed to help address her many current health issues, that have exacerbated her immobility especially over the past 21 years.

Due to her immobility and limited positions in her current bed, she has developed serious bed sores and a full torso rash. These sores and rashes can be relieved and helped to heal with the use of a specialty bed called a Freedom Bed. Most importantly, as mentioned above, with the push of a button, Nicki can potentially save her life when she goes into AD.

What Is the Freedom Bed by ProBed?

The Freedom Bed is a lateral rotation therapy bed that is designed to mechanically reposition an immobile person to address complications associated with immobility, such as bed sores and pneumonia.

This high tech bed can be programmed to provide a customized turning/tilting procedure which automatically changes the position of the patient and relieves pressure areas of the body. This has been proven to help heal and prevent further bed sores.

Additionally, it can reduce the risk of UTIs (urinary tract infections) and upper respiratory problems that are a persistent challenge for quadriplegics. UTIs are a leading cause for septicemia in patients with SCI, which is associated with increased mortality.*

Links are listed below for you to check out the many benefits this

bed can provide to individuals with SCI.

Current Cost of the Freedom Bed and What’s Included

Unfortunately, Nicki's insurance has refused to cover the cost of this bed. New, these beds cost around $42,000, however, a refurbished Freedom Bed has become available for $29,599.75 and will be available for purchase at this price until July 8, 2023.

The cost includes delivery, set-up, instructions and on-going support for the patient and caregivers. Ironically, the cost of hospital visits to care for Nicki due to her pressure sores and UTIs has exceeded the cost of this bed.

The following cost benefits apply for the Freedom Bed

Assure continuous lateral rotation therapy for the patient, both day and night, 365 days per year
Substantially reduce and/or eliminate the risk of pneumonia associated with immobility; (one case of which may easily exceed $40,000 on admission to a hospital without complications)
Substantially reduce and/or eliminate the risk of pressure injuries (bedsores) associated with immobility; (one case of which, Stages III or IV can cost from $75,000 to well over $100,000)
Substantially reduce and/or eliminate the cost of labor associated with manual turning at night, or during the day (which cost can approach $40,000 per year, per shift)
Substantially reduce and/or eliminate the risks of other complications of immobility, such as UTIs, bowel and kidney dysfunctions, and thromboses
Function equally well in any setting, either institutionally or at home

This bed would not only help to extend Nicki’s life, it would make an already excruciatingly painful life so much more comfortable.

Donations & Deadlines

All money donated will be used to secure the purchase of the refurbished Freedom Bed. If we meet our goal of $31,000 (GoFundMe/Credit Card fees included) by July 8, 2023 we will purchase the bed for that price.

If we don’t raise the amount needed for the refurbished bed, we will continue to raise funds until the price of a new bed is reached, which is currently priced at around $42,000.

Appreciation & Gratitude

Any amount you are able to give is deeply appreciated. If you can’t contribute, please spread the word about this fundraiser with your friends and family. Any and all help is genuinely valued and wholeheartedly appreciated by Nicki and the entire family.

Thank you.