Dear Friends, Family, and Kind Strangers,

My name is Charnea Northcutt. My husband Michael and I, have been navigating the profound challenges of his quadriplegia. As a quadriplegic, Michael has faced significant physical limitations, including the rapid onset of muscle atrophy due to the inability to move his limbs voluntarily.

Skeletal muscle atrophy is a hallmark of severe spinal cord injury, precipitated by the neural insult and paralysis. This condition leads to the shrinking of muscles, as damage to the nerves disrupts the signals needed for muscle maintenance and growth. Without intervention, muscle atrophy can exacerbate health issues, reduce quality of life, and increase risks like pressure sores and decreased circulation.

However, there’s hope through targeted exercise. Studies show that functional electrical stimulation (FES) cycling and similar exercises can prevent muscle atrophy in individuals with acute spinal cord injuries by promoting muscle activity and improving lean body mass. Regular exercise not only strengthens muscles but also enhances energy levels, flexibility, and overall participation in daily activities. Exercise has been proven to slow or prevent muscle wasting by influencing molecular physiology and cell signaling.

That’s why Michael and I are reaching out for your support to acquire the Quadriciser, a specialized robotic rehabilitation therapy system designed for individuals like him. This innovative equipment passively moves all four limbs in a natural, simultaneous motion, simulating walking and other activities to help maintain muscle tone, improve circulation, and potentially create new neural pathways. It’s particularly beneficial for quadriplegics who cannot initiate movement on their own, offering a way to combat atrophy without relying on voluntary effort.

Unfortunately, at $12,500 the cost of the Quadriciser is beyond our current means, and we’re turning to this GoFundMe campaign to bridge the gap. Your generous donations will directly fund this life-changing equipment, allowing him to deter further muscle loss and work toward a better quality of life. Every contribution, no matter the size, brings us closer to this goal and means the world to us.

Michael has endured multiple pressure wounds due to being confined to bed, which has severely limited his ability to leave his bed. This unfortunate situation has kept him from participating in family gatherings, attending our children’s school activities, and even hosting friends in our home. Michael longs for the day he can go outside and travel as a family and be the active father he once was.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your compassion, shares, and support.

With gratitude,

Michael and Charnea Northcutt