Help Ken get a Mobility Scooter
Donation protected
Hi everyone,
I am Ken Howard from Melbourne, Australia and I am 65 years old. I am asking you to help me purchase a much-needed MOBILITY SCOOTER.
I had a serious car accident in 2018, when another car ran into the side of me and my car was written off. My car was part of the worldwide airbag recall, so they did not work at all. In the accident, I hit my head hard on the handle above the driver's door (some days later it caused me to go blind, which I am on medication permanently for). then as I braced for the accident with my left foot, it tore the Achilles Tendon and shredded it inside.
I then had transplant surgery in 2019 on my foot to try and repair the tendon but unfortunately, a major nerve was cut during the operation and I am now live with 10/10 pain plus constant "Alodynia" (a surface nerve pain which with even a light touch of a tissue is extremely painful).
3 months ago, I have a Spinal Cord Stimulation trial implant surgery, which worked so well, that it reduced the pain down to 3. It worked similarly to Elon Musks Neuralink but in the spine. I was now waiting for the TAC to approve the permanent surgery at some $60,000.
Up until now, the TAC (Traffic Accident Commission of the state of Victoria) has paid for everything. However, yesterday they told me they changed their mind on purchasing the mobility scooter, which they promised to get me. They also told me they are unlikely now to go ahead with the planned permanent SCS surgery as described above. They are waiting on a final report from my surgeon, but basically told me that they have already made their decision.
I cannot walk more than 100 to 200 metres or stand more than 5 minutes without sitting. as I am in such constant pain, I spend a lot of my time in bed with strong medication. My business, as a toy designer, has suffered so much, that I haven't had one major "toy design" job since the car accident in over 2 years.
I was an avid bushwalker. I swam (up to 3kms a day) and was into bodybuilding (leg pressing 300kg) and was always young and fit for my age. Now I cannot even leave the house, because I cannot even walk past the front gate.
I was so looking forward to getting the promised scooter, as there are many trails and bushwalks near my home plus the scooter my Occupational Therapist had picked out for me, was suitable for going on gravel and bitumen, off road. It had a high ground clearance and had over 30 km range. She was making sure I would never get stuck or isolated on. Part of my therapy to get out again into the forest is important. I have trialled going a few metres using my elbow crutches but I have had to give up, sit down and return to her car.
I have the matter in the hands of my lawyer. Fortunately the accident pays the legals fees but it could be years before this is sorted out but at this stage my doctor told me to make my own plans to get my own scooter. She said it is best for my mental health to make pro-active steps for my own well-being. It is NOT looking good that I will get it at all, and I do not feel I have the fight left in me.
If you can help me get this scooter, I would be so grateful, you have no idea. I am a Christian, and know this is simply another trial I must overcome. I am happy and look forward to each new day. I miss the freedom of "browsing" whilst shopping or exploring our many beautiful forests.
Getting the scooter with give me back the lifestyle I am accustomed to, the only difference is that I will be sitting, and I am okay with that.
As I said, I am 65, I am widowed. My wife died when my children were 7, 4 and 6 months. They are all grown now, and I am blessed with 6 wonderful grandchildren.
Of course, if I don't reach my target for this particular scooter, there are less expensive scooters I can get with less range and not as mobile, which I would be more than happy to get as well.
My Instagram is ken.howard1 if you are interested to see what interests me.
THE SCOOTER:
This is the scooter that my occupational therapist picked out for me, after testing so many. This one has high ground clearance and a range of over 30kms, meaning I have the freedom to do what I love and go on trails and bushwalks again. This will improve my lifestyle and get me out of being locked indoors.
Link for info about the purchase of this scooter:
Pride Mobility Outback Scooter
SURGERY DIAGRAM SHOWING THE PROCEDURE I WENT THROUGH:
These images show how my big toe tendon was transplanted to make a new Achilles Tendon and how it was secured to my heel bone. It was during this major surgery that, a nerve which feeds up my leg to my spine, was nicked or severed. MRI's showed the damage which CANNOT be repaired and I must live with the pain, 9 to 10 out of 10 for the rest of my life.
POST SURGERY:
Here we see the large scar from the transplant surgery. I had to wear a moon boot for several months, whilst it healed plus spend a long time using a knee scooter to get around the house. Now I permanently use a walking stick and/or elbow crutches.
COMPLICATIONS SET IN:
The podiatrist marked out where the nerve damaged effected my whole foot. As a result of weakness in the foot and pain, I fell down the front steps at home in March 2020, and broke my arm and dislocated my shoulder, giving myself a frozen shoulder. I had to have treatment in hospital for it with injection of fluid under X-Ray to relieve it.
HOPE FOR RELIEF WITH SCS SURGERY:
After seeing many specialist since the nerve was cut during the transplant surgery, new hope for pain relief came in the form of an implant into my spine with a small computer place under my skin. I underwent a trial of this in September 2020, funded by the insurance company. The wires with digital nano bytes were implanted into my spine and the computer was worn on my hip. Over several days, using a remote control, specialists were able to adjust each of the nano's to the point where the pain level dropped and was tolerable at about 3 out of 10. I was so rejoicing with the outcome. Huge relief after suffering for almost 2 years. Sadly now the TAC is balking at the cost of the permanent surgery and I have a big legal fight ahead of me. Please help me by easing the pressure by supporting me with the purchase of this much needed scooter. Thank you.
The wires from the nano device attach directly into the spine.
This device will be planted under my skin, should the surgery go ahead.
My amazing children, who mean the world to me since their mum, my wife, passed in 1989.
I am Ken Howard from Melbourne, Australia and I am 65 years old. I am asking you to help me purchase a much-needed MOBILITY SCOOTER.
I had a serious car accident in 2018, when another car ran into the side of me and my car was written off. My car was part of the worldwide airbag recall, so they did not work at all. In the accident, I hit my head hard on the handle above the driver's door (some days later it caused me to go blind, which I am on medication permanently for). then as I braced for the accident with my left foot, it tore the Achilles Tendon and shredded it inside.
I then had transplant surgery in 2019 on my foot to try and repair the tendon but unfortunately, a major nerve was cut during the operation and I am now live with 10/10 pain plus constant "Alodynia" (a surface nerve pain which with even a light touch of a tissue is extremely painful).
3 months ago, I have a Spinal Cord Stimulation trial implant surgery, which worked so well, that it reduced the pain down to 3. It worked similarly to Elon Musks Neuralink but in the spine. I was now waiting for the TAC to approve the permanent surgery at some $60,000.
Up until now, the TAC (Traffic Accident Commission of the state of Victoria) has paid for everything. However, yesterday they told me they changed their mind on purchasing the mobility scooter, which they promised to get me. They also told me they are unlikely now to go ahead with the planned permanent SCS surgery as described above. They are waiting on a final report from my surgeon, but basically told me that they have already made their decision.
I cannot walk more than 100 to 200 metres or stand more than 5 minutes without sitting. as I am in such constant pain, I spend a lot of my time in bed with strong medication. My business, as a toy designer, has suffered so much, that I haven't had one major "toy design" job since the car accident in over 2 years.
I was an avid bushwalker. I swam (up to 3kms a day) and was into bodybuilding (leg pressing 300kg) and was always young and fit for my age. Now I cannot even leave the house, because I cannot even walk past the front gate.
I was so looking forward to getting the promised scooter, as there are many trails and bushwalks near my home plus the scooter my Occupational Therapist had picked out for me, was suitable for going on gravel and bitumen, off road. It had a high ground clearance and had over 30 km range. She was making sure I would never get stuck or isolated on. Part of my therapy to get out again into the forest is important. I have trialled going a few metres using my elbow crutches but I have had to give up, sit down and return to her car.
I have the matter in the hands of my lawyer. Fortunately the accident pays the legals fees but it could be years before this is sorted out but at this stage my doctor told me to make my own plans to get my own scooter. She said it is best for my mental health to make pro-active steps for my own well-being. It is NOT looking good that I will get it at all, and I do not feel I have the fight left in me.
If you can help me get this scooter, I would be so grateful, you have no idea. I am a Christian, and know this is simply another trial I must overcome. I am happy and look forward to each new day. I miss the freedom of "browsing" whilst shopping or exploring our many beautiful forests.
Getting the scooter with give me back the lifestyle I am accustomed to, the only difference is that I will be sitting, and I am okay with that.
As I said, I am 65, I am widowed. My wife died when my children were 7, 4 and 6 months. They are all grown now, and I am blessed with 6 wonderful grandchildren.
Of course, if I don't reach my target for this particular scooter, there are less expensive scooters I can get with less range and not as mobile, which I would be more than happy to get as well.
My Instagram is ken.howard1 if you are interested to see what interests me.
THE SCOOTER:
This is the scooter that my occupational therapist picked out for me, after testing so many. This one has high ground clearance and a range of over 30kms, meaning I have the freedom to do what I love and go on trails and bushwalks again. This will improve my lifestyle and get me out of being locked indoors.
Link for info about the purchase of this scooter:
Pride Mobility Outback Scooter
SURGERY DIAGRAM SHOWING THE PROCEDURE I WENT THROUGH:
These images show how my big toe tendon was transplanted to make a new Achilles Tendon and how it was secured to my heel bone. It was during this major surgery that, a nerve which feeds up my leg to my spine, was nicked or severed. MRI's showed the damage which CANNOT be repaired and I must live with the pain, 9 to 10 out of 10 for the rest of my life.
POST SURGERY:
Here we see the large scar from the transplant surgery. I had to wear a moon boot for several months, whilst it healed plus spend a long time using a knee scooter to get around the house. Now I permanently use a walking stick and/or elbow crutches.
COMPLICATIONS SET IN:
The podiatrist marked out where the nerve damaged effected my whole foot. As a result of weakness in the foot and pain, I fell down the front steps at home in March 2020, and broke my arm and dislocated my shoulder, giving myself a frozen shoulder. I had to have treatment in hospital for it with injection of fluid under X-Ray to relieve it.
HOPE FOR RELIEF WITH SCS SURGERY:
After seeing many specialist since the nerve was cut during the transplant surgery, new hope for pain relief came in the form of an implant into my spine with a small computer place under my skin. I underwent a trial of this in September 2020, funded by the insurance company. The wires with digital nano bytes were implanted into my spine and the computer was worn on my hip. Over several days, using a remote control, specialists were able to adjust each of the nano's to the point where the pain level dropped and was tolerable at about 3 out of 10. I was so rejoicing with the outcome. Huge relief after suffering for almost 2 years. Sadly now the TAC is balking at the cost of the permanent surgery and I have a big legal fight ahead of me. Please help me by easing the pressure by supporting me with the purchase of this much needed scooter. Thank you.
The wires from the nano device attach directly into the spine.
This device will be planted under my skin, should the surgery go ahead.
My amazing children, who mean the world to me since their mum, my wife, passed in 1989.
Organizer
Ken Howard
Organizer
Box Hill South, VIC