Help Rebuild a Life: Support the Move to Maine

Firstly, I'd like to thank you for visiting my fundraising page! I'm currently raising funds to make a big move across the country from Florida back to Maine, where I'm originally from, to be closer to my support system of family and friends. The money raised here will go towards fixing my van to get me back, covering the cost of caregivers and skilled nursing care that I need every day, and most importantly, getting myself into a safe place to live and the costs that come with making a place wheelchair accessible. The cost of things like ramps, lifts, bathroom remodels, medical supplies, equipment, and around-the-clock caregivers make the whole process extremely costly. My goal is high, and I understand that it's going to be a long process to reach, but if I am able to reach it, I'll be able to put myself into a position where I can focus on my health and build a daily routine where I can address my current health issues and prevent future problems in a stable, safe environment.

I was in a car accident 12 years ago that left me paralyzed from the chest down and needing 24/7 care. Over the years, I've developed a good routine and try my best to keep my health in check. I moved to Florida from Maine in 2018, and over the last 7 years, I've developed some health issues that have gotten worse year by year. I'm currently in the process of moving back to Maine. As of now, I'm living in Florida with a very small support system that has my health and daily routine declining. Living with a Spinal Cord Injury is a fight every day, and most of our time is spent addressing health problems or trying to prevent them. Needing 24/7 care and help with every day-to-day activity puts us with Spinal Cord Injuries needing a big support system to fill the gaps that insurance won't cover. It's virtually impossible to live independently with the coverage that insurance provides. It's all the little things that go on behind the scenes that cause the biggest problems. Moving across the country, having an accessible place to live, and having the help to get through the day makes the whole process a logistical nightmare. Switching states, changing insurance companies, and setting up daily care takes a lot of time and help. The gaps of time between applying for coverage, setting up new doctors, getting approval for equipment, etc., leave you on your own for long periods of time, and paying out of pocket to get the basic day-to-day care adds up very quickly. Even with insurance, I'm still unable to get through the day without support from friends and family that are willing to help for free. Unfortunately, in my current position with a lack of funds and minimal coverage from insurance, my health is quickly becoming more and more difficult to manage. It's very dangerous for me to be left on my own for any period of time because I need around-the-clock help with everything from cooking, cleaning, eating, showering, dressing, using the bathroom, repositioning, etc., and right now I've only got about 8 hours a day of help, which leaves me alone in bed unable to do anything for more than half the day. Of course, laying in one position for 12-16 hours at a time puts me at risk of developing a lot of issues and relying on friends to provide free help in the case of an emergency during those long periods of time on my own. With a small support system here, it's almost impossible to manage my health. If I'm able to get myself back to my family, I know I'll be able to continue living independently and out of a facility or nursing home. I'm 34 years old and not at all ready to surrender to moving into a long-term care facility, but without the funds to get past these hurdles, it would likely lead to that.

I've never been one to ask for help. I've always made the best with what I have, but in my current situation, the future looks bleak, and I know it's possible to live a healthy, independent life with the help of friends and family. I've just got to get into the right situation, and right now, raising money is my best bet to get there. Being disabled, being paralyzed, being a wheelchair user that depends on help from others 24/7 makes it easy for us to fall into a slump and lack meaning in our lives. Having a purpose in life is everything, and I've found mine in just being a good friend, a good son, a good brother, and trying to improve the lives of the people that allow me to live mine. Having a successful fundraiser will not only help with my physical health and living situation but also my mental health, and getting myself back around friends and family would be life-changing for the best. Thanks for your time and support!