My name is Megan Sanders, and I am starting this fundraiser to help cover medical expenses and provide a wheelchair-accessible vehicle for my father, who is now paraplegic.

On October 11, 2024, my father, Scott Sanders, sustained a traumatic spinal cord injury following a fall. He underwent emergency spinal fusion surgery from T6 to the ilium to stabilize his spine, which resulted in paralysis below the T6 level (paraplegia).

He remained in Columbia at Prisma Health Richland Memorial Hospital until he was accepted into Roper Rehabilitation Hospital in Charleston. After 45 days of hospitalization, my father was finally able to return home and begin the difficult journey of accepting and learning to navigate this new way of life.

My father worked for over 40 years at Southeastern Freight Lines and had retired prior to this injury. Because of this, he is not eligible for disability or certain forms of government assistance. He now relies entirely on medical equipment, including a Hoyer lift and an electric wheelchair, for mobility, as well as daily medical supplies such as catheters.

My stepmother, Debbie, made the selfless decision to leave her job in order to become his full-time caregiver.

Transportation has become one of the biggest challenges. Due to overwhelming medical expenses, my father and stepmother are unable to afford a wheelchair-accessible vehicle. Currently, he relies on local public transportation. While we are incredibly grateful for this service, it can be difficult to coordinate and unreliable for frequent medical appointments and his physical therapy.

Having access to a reliable, accessible vehicle would drastically improve my father’s quality of life—not only physically, but emotionally as well. It would allow him greater independence and consistent access to the care he needs to continue making progress.

We are deeply grateful for the love and support we have already received—from those who have helped build ramps at his home, to those who continue to check in, offer encouragement, and keep him in their prayers.

We understand this is a big ask, but any support—whether through a donation, a share, or continued prayers—means more to our family than we can express!