Help Tarique Recover from Covid-19 Quadriplegia
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In March 2020, Tarique was admitted to a hospital with severe Covid-19. After surviving the worst (including 43 days on a ventilator and various other complications that nearly took his life), he was finally able to leave the NYC hospital that saved him in the end of August after having lost one third of his body weight. He was transferred directly to an inpatient rehabilitation facility as one of the several remaining complications was life changing: he couldn’t move from the neck down. The team treating him and the care he is receiving is amazing.
He is participating daily in aggressive therapies to help him regain an independent life with his wife, Laurel and their 12-year old daughter, Edie. While he isn’t there yet, his team believes that medically there is no reason he will not walk again and they are committed to getting him there. His case is complex, and 100% a result/complication of Covid. They are writing history with his recovery and this would not be possible without the talented medical staff that not only kept Tarique alive, but all of the physical and occupational therapists that are helping him to relearn every aspect of daily life.
After 6.5 months of rehab, Tarique is now able to:
o Feed himself 2x/day
o Brush his teeth 2x/day
o Sleep well (no more nightmares!)
o Roll-over in bed and sleep on his side/stomach by himself
o Read a physical book and turn pages on his own
o Use an iPad and iphone with fingers and stylus
o Sit for 7-8 hours at a time in wheelchair
Every weekday, Tarique participates in rigorous therapy from 8am to 4pm: four (4) hours of PT, OT, aquatics and strength training with a collaborative team of therapists with expertise in neuroscience and specialized technologies like EKSO skeleton, Bioness and Zero-G that are unique to this rehab facility. This week, with help of the Zero-G (unweighting 15% of his body weight) and a therapist steadying his hips, he was able to walk 120 feet. He also walked the width of the pool with a walker, unassisted.
Still, we have quite a journey ahead to bring him home, back to his family and to an active life. While the insurance has been tremendous to this point, it appears our time is running out; after two weeks of meetings, escalations and reviews, they have made the decision to deny his coverage after Friday, March 19th; requesting that he be discharged. While we are appealing the decision, and hoping for the best, we are realistic that the appeal process may not go our way as very few are successful.
One thing is for certain, we are going to do everything we can to provide Tarique with the intense rehab he needs to walk again -- the rehab that supports his equally high determination to get his life back. For continuity of care, and the best outcome in the shortest period of time, Tarique wishes to stay where he is and as he says, "finish strong," walking out and being able to use his arms and hands when he is finally able to go home.
They estimate that this will take another 3-4 months at ~$54,000 a month for Tarique to reach his goal, followed by continued outpatient therapy once he is home. Anything you can give to support his stay will help us give Tarique the best shot at a full recovery.
Thank you in advance for all of your positive thoughts, prayers, good wishes and generosity.
He is participating daily in aggressive therapies to help him regain an independent life with his wife, Laurel and their 12-year old daughter, Edie. While he isn’t there yet, his team believes that medically there is no reason he will not walk again and they are committed to getting him there. His case is complex, and 100% a result/complication of Covid. They are writing history with his recovery and this would not be possible without the talented medical staff that not only kept Tarique alive, but all of the physical and occupational therapists that are helping him to relearn every aspect of daily life.
After 6.5 months of rehab, Tarique is now able to:
o Feed himself 2x/day
o Brush his teeth 2x/day
o Sleep well (no more nightmares!)
o Roll-over in bed and sleep on his side/stomach by himself
o Read a physical book and turn pages on his own
o Use an iPad and iphone with fingers and stylus
o Sit for 7-8 hours at a time in wheelchair
Every weekday, Tarique participates in rigorous therapy from 8am to 4pm: four (4) hours of PT, OT, aquatics and strength training with a collaborative team of therapists with expertise in neuroscience and specialized technologies like EKSO skeleton, Bioness and Zero-G that are unique to this rehab facility. This week, with help of the Zero-G (unweighting 15% of his body weight) and a therapist steadying his hips, he was able to walk 120 feet. He also walked the width of the pool with a walker, unassisted.
Still, we have quite a journey ahead to bring him home, back to his family and to an active life. While the insurance has been tremendous to this point, it appears our time is running out; after two weeks of meetings, escalations and reviews, they have made the decision to deny his coverage after Friday, March 19th; requesting that he be discharged. While we are appealing the decision, and hoping for the best, we are realistic that the appeal process may not go our way as very few are successful.
One thing is for certain, we are going to do everything we can to provide Tarique with the intense rehab he needs to walk again -- the rehab that supports his equally high determination to get his life back. For continuity of care, and the best outcome in the shortest period of time, Tarique wishes to stay where he is and as he says, "finish strong," walking out and being able to use his arms and hands when he is finally able to go home.
They estimate that this will take another 3-4 months at ~$54,000 a month for Tarique to reach his goal, followed by continued outpatient therapy once he is home. Anything you can give to support his stay will help us give Tarique the best shot at a full recovery.
Thank you in advance for all of your positive thoughts, prayers, good wishes and generosity.
Organizer
Laurel Alizad
Organizer
New York, NY