John's Recent Paralysis Requires Home Modification

Our friend, John Dittrich, has had a life changing medical incident in which a spinal cord infarction caused a horrific injury. After several weeks of fantastic medical care and rehab, John is now home to face the challenges of living in a wheelchair for the unknowable future. While John and Lois have displayed unbelievable courage and good humor in the face of this challenge, there remain a number of enormous obstacles. Their home, while in a neighborhood of wonderful friends (*ahem*) isn't even close to being handicapped accessible. From the moment he arrives, there is, at this time, a makeshift wheelchair ramp onto a porch that has seem better and sturdier days. Inside their home , they're struggling somewhat with the carpeting located in most of their home, inhibiting his movement in a wheelchair. The kitchen and the bathrooms are not set up for accessibility. Their insurance has provided a hoyer lift to assist them in getting in and out of bed to the wheelchair, but the bed itself isn't really conducive to his condition. An adjustable bed would certainly be on a wish list.  Transportation is another huge challenge. As they don't own a handicapped accessible van , they are using a medical transport team each time he needs to go to the doctor. These costs are formidable and not covered by insurance. Any assistance that his friends, family, neighbors or random strangers can provide would be greatly appreciated!