Help Samia Get a Wheelchair Accessible Van

In June 2010, I experienced a spontaneous deep vein thrombosis (DVT), or blood clot, on my spinal cord at the T4 level, leaving me completely paralyzed from the chest down. Since then, I have been wheelchair-bound. The transition from walking to becoming wheelchair-dependent was challenging, but I was able to maintain a good quality of life for several years. By July 2011, I had returned to work and could do most things I did before, just on wheels instead of heels. However, over the past five years, I have faced severe health challenges due to complications from pressure ulcers and two abscesses in my sacrum.

In June 2018, I was diagnosed with a beyond-stage-4 pressure ulcer in my sacrum and coccyx. The infection had spread into my bones, causing osteomyelitis, and led to the loss of several bone fragments. Due to the location and severity of the wound, I had to take an unpaid leave of absence from work and became mostly bed-bound to prevent further deterioration and encourage healing. Over the next few years, I received various treatments, including wound vacs, collagen, hyperbaric therapy, skin grafts, and multiple surgeries. The only treatment that ultimately helped was a wound flap surgery I underwent at Piedmont Atlanta in December 2020.

I spent most of 2021 recovering in bed to allow the flap to stay intact. Unfortunately, in June 2023, I was diagnosed with a sacral abscess, creating a 16cm deep tunnel in my sacrum, likely due to internal bleeding. This led me to become bed-bound once more, and I resumed intensive wound treatments. In November 2023, I was hospitalized again with multiple infections after a piece of foam was accidentally left lodged deep in the wound. I came close to septic shock, and it was confirmed that I am highly prone to sepsis, which I have battled frequently. After three months in rehabilitation at the start of 2024, I was again hospitalized in July due to another abscess near the first one, requiring emergency surgery. My doctors and wound care nurses have emphasized that I face a long road to recovery, with extensive wound care needed for the foreseeable future.

Since my injury in 2010, I have relied on MARTA Mobility for transportation. While it was convenient initially, MARTA has become increasingly unreliable in recent years. There have been instances when I missed important medical appointments due to delays, and on many occasions, I have waited 3-4 hours for a pick-up, despite having a scheduled time. The extended time spent in my wheelchair while waiting only exacerbates my wounds. I live with my retired parents, have not been able to work since June 2018, and my savings have dwindled due to the financial strain. The cost of a wheelchair-accessible van usually starts around $45,000 and can go up depending on the modifications, which is beyond my means, but I know that to allow my wounds a chance to heal, I need to be off them and have comfortable, reliable transportation.

A wheelchair-accessible van would significantly improve my quality of life. It would enhance my physical and mental health and provide the mobility needed to support my healing process. Asking for assistance is difficult, as I know there are others in more need, but a van is essential for my health and independence. I am reaching out for help because I have exhausted all other options, and I genuinely believe that with the support of others, I can regain the stability I need to heal and move forward.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story.