Help Greg Brewer get a Wheelchair Ramp

Hi, my name is Kevin Brewer. Most of you know me, and most of you know, or know of, my brother Greg Brewer. He and I are the last surviving members of our original family of five. Several months ago, Greg, who lives in Maury County, Tennessee, became seriously ill. He could barely breathe, was too weak to walk, and began to retain enormous volumes of fluid. He spent about two weeks in Williamson Medical Center in Franklin, where they found he is suffering from kidney failure of an unknown cause. He began having daily dialysis in the hospital. Then they sent him home with the plan that he would go to Columbia, Tennessee three days per week for dialysis until they could arrive at a complete diagnosis and plan of treatment. This plan did not work, because Greg is too weak and too weighted down by fluid to get into and out of his house without a wheelchair, and none of the doors in his house are wheelchair accessible. On one trip to dialysis, four people tried to get Greg down the steps and he still fell on the concrete. Neighbors had to come and help get him back up. The ordeal of just getting to the center was so taxing that he began to swell again and had to go back to the hospital, this time to Vanderbilt.

 

At this writing, Greg has been in Vanderbilt University Hospital for 22 days (plus the two weeks spent in Franklin). He can never successfully return home until it is possible to get him safely into and out of the house for dialysis and for other purposes. He needs a wheelchair ramp that can safely reach his door, which is rather high, without being too steep. All of his family are doing what they can, but needless to say their resources are stretched thin. I told Greg and Beth that if they would approve the action, I would take the lead on securing a safe, sturdy ramp and would try to raise the money for it from family and friends, of which they have many.

 

Today, I traveled to Greg and Beth's house in Hampshire and met with a representative of Amramp, an accessibility company. We agreed to install a 19'X36" powder-coated steel ramp with safety rails and a high-grip surface from his threshold to the other end of the garage where he could easily be put into a vehicle. The cost of the ramp is $3,700, including taxes and installation. I have set the goal for this fundraiser at $4,000 to cover GoFundMe's fees and administrative costs.

 

I am not much of a fund-raiser because I don't like asking people for money. I plan to just let this effort speak for itself. If you want to give, thank you. You can do so here. Many of you see me often, so you can also give to me directly if you are inclined. At the end of this effort, I will share evidence of the work done and an accounting of the money raised from all sources (with no names, of course).

 

Thank you. Greg really needs this ramp, and all of us are grateful for the help.