Hi there, my name is Sam. Nearly 5 years ago, I suddenly became paralyzed from the waist down. I have multiple spinal issues that have culminated in me being unable to use my legs. In that time, I have tried to get a wheelchair and my insurance has kept denying me. I am on disability and I have government insurance.

When I first started trying for the wheelchair, I needed a custom one because I had a pressure wound on my bottom. They denied me the first time because "Patient is in a round-the-clock care facility and it would not improve his quality of life." We tried again a little later, going through a different vendor, and this time they denied it again but did not give a reason. That was right before the pandemic hit.

I ended up leaving that care facility in a bad way and going to a new one. We tried again to get a wheelchair. At this point, my legs have contracted and constantly spasm violently. So I cannot get into a regular wheelchair at risk of falling out of the chair. Insurance denied me because "There is no evidence of patient getting up and into a chair so we won't approve him a wheelchair." I kind of need a chair to get up into one, y'know?

So the facility decided to try again and this time, throw everything at them. The vendor came and measured me, the insurance rep person who works for the facility took pictures and videos of my legs, showing how bad they were. They brought a test wheelchair in for me to ride around in to make sure I would fit and to take measurements and see how my legs would sit to make sure I was secure and safe.

Well, insurance denied me again and the vendor says that my chair will end up costing $36,500. I cannot afford this, no one I know can afford this.

I did not want to do this.

But I need help. I've been bedbound for nearly 5 years, only getting up to go to the hospital if needed. I want to get out of bed and be somewhat mobile. I want to be able to visit my family again and go outside. I'd like to show up to Thanksgiving, or Christmas, or other holidays and get-togethers.

Please, help me GoFundMe-wan Kenobi. You're my only hope.