Help Jay Regain his Mobility

Jay Stockwell will be 60 in September.  He is married to his wonderful wife, Charlene and they have a beautiful daughter, Noelle.

Jay has significant health issues which have rendered him unable to work and which require him to use a wheelchair.  The family uses a van that is modified for his physical challenges and wheelchair.  This van is Jay’s lifeline to the outside world, allowing him to do some of the activities we all take for granted.  The van is 16 years old and recently broke down.  Due to the age of the vehicle and the severity of its mechanical issues, it can no longer be repaired.  

Without a replacement van, Jay can't get to doctor’s appointments, physical therapy or even a barber.  He can’t go to a restaurant, attend holidays and other family gatherings or even go fishing with a friend.  He is literally house-bound.  Jay was born with a condition called Neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1).  This caused his spine to deteriorate and allowed a fluid filled sac from his spine, called a meningocele, to form in his chest, compressing his left lung.  Jay also suffers from a hearing loss caused by the NF1 and is completely deaf in his right ear.  Jay had scoliosis (curvature of the spine) as a teenager and underwent surgery for this and also had cataract surgery on both eyes.

In 2010, Jay fractured ribs on his right side (the side of the functioning lung) due to a fall, and spent time in rehab.  By the end of March 2010, Jay was on oxygen 24/7 as the meningocele had expanded and was affecting his functioning lung.  After consulting with three surgeons and undergoing numerous tests, Jay underwent surgery to remove the meningocele.  The good news is that his left lung re-inflated.  However, in October 2010, his legs started weakening due to a blockage in his spine.  Jay underwent a second surgery to attempt to clear/by-pass the blockage.  This unfortunately was not successful and Jay was left paralyzed from just above the waist down so is now dependent on a wheelchair to get around.  Furthermore, in 2011, Jay suffered septic shock, and was put into an induced coma for three weeks.  To put this in perspective, Jay had his first surgery in August 2010 and did not come home until September 2011 – over one year later.  Jay has also been diagnosed with osteopenia, a weakening of the bones, and spina bifida as well which ultimately causes damage to the spinal cord and nerves.

Jay and Charlene are looking to purchase a pre-owned van which will cost around $50,000. The family can’t afford this on their own so is hoping that with your help, this dream will become a reality. This will enable Jay to get his life back to some sense of normalcy and regain some of the freedom he has lost. The pictures below give an example of what the van will look like.

We appreciate any donation you are able to give. Thank you.