Help Tinas Family Make Their Homestead Handicap Accessible.

My name is Tina, and I’m now a single disabled Mom of 4, grandmother of 1. I was disabled while working as an EMT, when my hip separated from my back while lifting a patient. I went to Boston for them to put me back together again, much like Humpty Dumpty.. they couldn’t put me completely back together again. My neurosurgeon made a mistake, I needed a revision & his lack of urgency caused my permanent disability. I was injured 5.5 years ago. I have 3 rods holding my hip into my back & need 3 more in the other side, as well as a spinal cord stimulator placed. I suffered 6 herniated disks in my lower back and neck. I’m riddled in chronic pain. I’ve tried to work in other fields, but I simply have difficulties with activities of daily living. I have weaknesss in all 4 extremities. My memory is awful & im suffering more neurological issues that are so far undiagnosed. Dan has missed a lot of work this year taking care of my needs. There’s so much more going on medically.. The financial hardship has never hit us worse. The homestead is good for me both mentally, physically and financially for the family, on a low end… and we’ve been consistently growing.

I never asked for help while we almost lost our home, the multiple times we almost have since my injury as I was the breadwinner. We are looking at that possibility again.

I took a small settlement thinking I could work again… that didn’t pan out as I had hoped. I couldn’t work through the nerve pain, and agonizing radiating pain through my body.

Our Homestead has been something we have had for the past 11 years. It has been successful, but in small leaps. We need a few things to really help us. This is a family endeavor, so we are able to work with my abilities and pain flares, and around the multiple surgeries I have in my future.

What is holding us back the most is needing a livestock trailer, and lack of accessibility in our home & on our property. Insurance still hasn’t approved my custom wheelchair & my physical health is declining. Eventually we will need an addition to our home as I do not have a 1st floor bedroom, nor is my 2nd floor bedroom accessible with a wheelchair even if I could get up there. Our kitchen is not accessible, always causing more strain on my injuries, increasing how often I have pain flares. My bathroom is not fully accessible, this on a daily basis is very trying when you already have fewer “spoons” than most. (Google spoon theory if you haven’t heard of it before)

Ive always helped others, it’s always been my calling, I was a PCA & a CNA prior to getting my EMT-B & Fire 1&2, I’ve worked as a career EMT, as well as a volunteer firefighter (class 032) and worked for my towns fire dept. ironically I left fire to focus on EMS, as I “didn’t want to get hurt” when I had a young family to raise … well…. Guess if it’s meant to be, it’ll happen. That’s alright, we roll with the punches around here.

If we are able to meet our goal, we currently do and will continue to pay it forward by donating time, eggs to teachers, daycares, and free farm visits. We look forward to growing within our community.. and hope to have you along with us for the ride! We have many plans, and truly look forward to connecting with you all!

Thank You for your time & I look forward to serving the community and growing produce with organic practices to help keep our community healthy!

if you would prefer to support our homestead in place of donating, it would mean so much to us!

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Rheaumestead : Homestead Happenings.

Thank You