Help Whitney Hilton Get Her Freedom Back
Donation protected
Update: We have met our goal (GFM, PayPal & checks combined) for the accessible van components way faster than we ever dreamed. Randall and I are working on funds for the van itself and a kind friend is helping us get the best price possible. We are keeping the GFM open so we can update donors. Any funds donated over $28,000 will go towards the actual van. Thank you so much for changing our world!
Much Love,
Whitney & Randall
#wheelsforwhitney
My name is Whitney Hilton and I am a survivor.
When I was 21, I was in a horrific car accident that severed my spinal cord and left me paralyzed. I spent months in a hospital bed fighting just to survive.
During these months, I mourned the death of my former self and the future I had envisioned. I would never be that young woman again.
But I knew that the core thing that made me, me – my soul – was still there. I had to search for that inner light that was still me – the light that connects me to my higher power.
I made a conscious decision not to give up. I chose to fight to live.
I’m so grateful that I found that spark – my inner light. It is the thing that has given me hope, helps me strive to be independent, and spurs me on in difficult times.
It is this inner light that gives me the momentum to do the hard things required to live my new life.
THE DAY MY LIFE CHANGED
It was early February 1998 and the air was crisp and cold as my sister, a friend, and I traveled down the highway on our way home from an overnight trip. We were carefree, listening to the radio as we drove.
I had no idea my life was about to drastically and permanently change.
All of a sudden, our car started fishtailing. It flipped twice causing all three of us to be violently thrown from the car.
We were all severely injured. Most of what followed was a rapid flash of snapshots of an ambulance, of doctors, of the hospital, a blur of the most painful experience of my life.
My leg and arm were broken, and I had a thoracic spinal cord injury. Somehow, I lived through the painful back surgery that stabilized me.
STARTING OVER
I awoke in my hospital bed to discover I was now paralyzed, with no movement or feeling from my chest down. One month after the accident, and I couldn’t even hold up my head.
I was transferred to Spain Rehabilitation Center at the University of Alabama (UAB) which I called “boot camp” because it was the most physically and emotionally challenging event in my life.
I had to start over and learn how to do everything in a new way. Something as simple as bathing or getting dressed required what seemed like monumental strength.
The Rehab Center taught me how to adjust to the ways my body would and would not work to be able to sit up, or roll over in bed, or even balance.
They taught me how to use my wheelchair, how to go up ramps, how to take my wheelchair apart, and all of the new things I now had to do every day.
Everything I could do so easily before would now be so time consuming, draining, and exhausting.
Adjusting to my “new normal” was hard, but I was determined to be as independent as possible despite my physical limitations and obstacles with my health.
Many times I have had to be creative and accomplish tasks in a different way than before, other times I have had to ask for help even though that is the last thing I want to do, and occasionally I have had to admit I can no longer do something I wish with all my heart that I could still do.
Sometimes my “new normal” is overhauled by a new diagnosis like osteoporosis or stage 3 pressure sores or another one of many everyday problems most people with a spinal cord injury experience such as bowel and bladder issues, autonomic dysreflexia, back, shoulder and wrist pain.
But I persisted.
MY SECOND CHANCE AT LIFE
The trauma of surviving such a devastating event and living my life with a disability has helped me focus on my inner light. It has helped me to grow and change in ways I never expected.
I fought hard for this life and I cherish the little things that bring me joy. I know life is short and I do my best to not take people or experiences for granted.
I’m grateful for this second chance at life.
Being a full-time wheelchair user for over 20 years hasn’t stopped me from following my passions.
Since my car wreck I have gotten married, received my undergraduate degree in Art Education, and my masters in Gifted Education at Mississippi University for Women.
I have been an art teacher at Starkville High School and taught an after school inclusive art class at the TK Martin Center for Technology and Disability at Mississippi State University.
I dedicated 7 years to improving inclusivity and accessibility in the City of Starkville, MS, my hometown, by forming and chairing the Commission on Disability.
I even volunteered to help my physiatrist make a video to help OBGYNs with patients who have spinal cord injuries.
MY WONDERFUL FAMILY
My husband, Randall, and I have a 12-year-old daughter, Elaina, and a 4-year old son, Galen, who keep us on our toes. I am focusing all of my time and energy on keeping myself healthy and being the best mom I can be right now.
Despite all my worries and insecurities about becoming a parent, being a parent is the most rewarding thing in my life. I love being a mom.
I look at my children and see two miracles, and I’m so grateful to have them in my life. I learn from my kids everyday about love, life, and dreams.
Like most parents, I’m always looking to become a better person, a better parent. But it’s not because I have a disability; I want to improve and grow because I am human.
MY BROKEN WHEELS
I don’t think of my wheelchair as something that holds me back but rather as something that helps me participate in life. My wheelchair and my accessible van are what give me the independence and freedom to live a full life, to be engaged and included in my kids’ lives and the community where we live.
They allow me to be a contributing member of society and get the kind of medical care I need.
Sadly, my accessible van, my “wheels”, is no longer reliable which puts a damper on the things I can participate in and the places I can go without a lot of assistance.
This is just a short list of the many things that are going wrong with my accessible van lately:
1. I never know if the door will open or close or if the ramp will come up or down
2. I have injured my arm several times, trying to use the van when the door or ramp is not working correctly and have had to go to physical therapy and get cortisone shots
3. I have been stuck in my van with no way of getting out by myself and other times having to ask strangers to fold my heavy, sometimes unhinged ramp back up
4. I have gone days and sometimes weeks without transportation while my van is being worked on
Randall and I decided enough is enough when Elaina and I were trapped in the van at Urgent Care after she fractured her arm.
Getting a newer van is no longer about my independence or freedom; it is about safety for me and my family.
CAN IT BE FIXED?
We have made numerous attempts of getting my ramp fixed spending thousands of dollars. Each time, a new issue has popped up, costing even more.
With the age of my van, buying a new ramp costs more than the value of my van, which doesn’t make much sense in the long run.
OUR BUDGET
We have reviewed our finances many times and reduced our costs as much as possible, but payments for a 6-year car loan is more than our budget allows.
We even looked into refinancing our mortgage, but even that will not provide enough cash back to buy an accessible van
We are in the process of selling Randall’s truck to help our budget, but we still need some help.
WHERE YOUR MONEY WILL GO -- THE COST OF AN ACCESSIBLE VAN
The cost of an accessible van is unreal. Once we discovered we couldn’t afford the monthly payments of a 6-year loan and that refinancing our mortgage wasn’t enough to buy an accessible van, we had to do some soul searching to admit we need help.
We need help to raise $39,370.00 for the conversion and accessibility components of a van to give me back my independence and freedom, providing a safe means of transportation. Below is the breakdown of the expenses:
Conversion (lowered floor and automatic ramp): $32,000
Hand controls may cost: $2500-4000
Transfer seat: $4500
Quick release tie-down straps: $370
>>>>> TOTAL : $39,370.00
WE ARE ASKING FOR YOUR HELP - HELP ME GET MY 'WHEELS' BACK
I have a wonderful life. Great friends, a supportive family, fun-loving kids, and one crazy dog. But sometimes, we all need a helping hand.
I would not ask for help if I saw any other option for my family. I am in truth a very private person who does not like to ask people for things.
But through the amazing support of my friends and family and after much soul searching, I have come to the conclusion that we are all one big family on this earth and there is so much we can (and do!) do for each other. I see it every day.
So, I am asking for your help – in whatever form or way that you are able to provide it.
My birthday is coming up on November 1st. I have set this as a goal to see how much we can raise by that time.
Here are some things that we would greatly appreciate from you that will go a long way towards reaching this goal of helping me get my freedom back.
· Give what you can; no amount is too small
· Share my story on social media; give updates along the way
· Send personal messages with links to my Go Fund Me page; follow up in person
· Share my story with friends and family, church and civic organizations
· Plan an event to raise $
· Pray for a good outcome
· Send light and love our way
Thank you – you are helping me in more ways than you can possibly know.
“Helping one person might not change the world, but it could change the world of one person.”
-Aamir Hussain
*Note: If you prefer you can give a donation directly at
#WheelsforWhitney
Much Love,
Whitney & Randall
#wheelsforwhitney
My name is Whitney Hilton and I am a survivor.
When I was 21, I was in a horrific car accident that severed my spinal cord and left me paralyzed. I spent months in a hospital bed fighting just to survive.
During these months, I mourned the death of my former self and the future I had envisioned. I would never be that young woman again.
But I knew that the core thing that made me, me – my soul – was still there. I had to search for that inner light that was still me – the light that connects me to my higher power.
I made a conscious decision not to give up. I chose to fight to live.
I’m so grateful that I found that spark – my inner light. It is the thing that has given me hope, helps me strive to be independent, and spurs me on in difficult times.
It is this inner light that gives me the momentum to do the hard things required to live my new life.
THE DAY MY LIFE CHANGED
It was early February 1998 and the air was crisp and cold as my sister, a friend, and I traveled down the highway on our way home from an overnight trip. We were carefree, listening to the radio as we drove.
I had no idea my life was about to drastically and permanently change.
All of a sudden, our car started fishtailing. It flipped twice causing all three of us to be violently thrown from the car.
We were all severely injured. Most of what followed was a rapid flash of snapshots of an ambulance, of doctors, of the hospital, a blur of the most painful experience of my life.
My leg and arm were broken, and I had a thoracic spinal cord injury. Somehow, I lived through the painful back surgery that stabilized me.
STARTING OVER
I awoke in my hospital bed to discover I was now paralyzed, with no movement or feeling from my chest down. One month after the accident, and I couldn’t even hold up my head.
I was transferred to Spain Rehabilitation Center at the University of Alabama (UAB) which I called “boot camp” because it was the most physically and emotionally challenging event in my life.
I had to start over and learn how to do everything in a new way. Something as simple as bathing or getting dressed required what seemed like monumental strength.
The Rehab Center taught me how to adjust to the ways my body would and would not work to be able to sit up, or roll over in bed, or even balance.
They taught me how to use my wheelchair, how to go up ramps, how to take my wheelchair apart, and all of the new things I now had to do every day.
Everything I could do so easily before would now be so time consuming, draining, and exhausting.
Adjusting to my “new normal” was hard, but I was determined to be as independent as possible despite my physical limitations and obstacles with my health.
Many times I have had to be creative and accomplish tasks in a different way than before, other times I have had to ask for help even though that is the last thing I want to do, and occasionally I have had to admit I can no longer do something I wish with all my heart that I could still do.
Sometimes my “new normal” is overhauled by a new diagnosis like osteoporosis or stage 3 pressure sores or another one of many everyday problems most people with a spinal cord injury experience such as bowel and bladder issues, autonomic dysreflexia, back, shoulder and wrist pain.
But I persisted.
MY SECOND CHANCE AT LIFE
The trauma of surviving such a devastating event and living my life with a disability has helped me focus on my inner light. It has helped me to grow and change in ways I never expected.
I fought hard for this life and I cherish the little things that bring me joy. I know life is short and I do my best to not take people or experiences for granted.
I’m grateful for this second chance at life.
Being a full-time wheelchair user for over 20 years hasn’t stopped me from following my passions.
Since my car wreck I have gotten married, received my undergraduate degree in Art Education, and my masters in Gifted Education at Mississippi University for Women.
I have been an art teacher at Starkville High School and taught an after school inclusive art class at the TK Martin Center for Technology and Disability at Mississippi State University.
I dedicated 7 years to improving inclusivity and accessibility in the City of Starkville, MS, my hometown, by forming and chairing the Commission on Disability.
I even volunteered to help my physiatrist make a video to help OBGYNs with patients who have spinal cord injuries.
MY WONDERFUL FAMILY
My husband, Randall, and I have a 12-year-old daughter, Elaina, and a 4-year old son, Galen, who keep us on our toes. I am focusing all of my time and energy on keeping myself healthy and being the best mom I can be right now.
Despite all my worries and insecurities about becoming a parent, being a parent is the most rewarding thing in my life. I love being a mom.
I look at my children and see two miracles, and I’m so grateful to have them in my life. I learn from my kids everyday about love, life, and dreams.
Like most parents, I’m always looking to become a better person, a better parent. But it’s not because I have a disability; I want to improve and grow because I am human.
MY BROKEN WHEELS
I don’t think of my wheelchair as something that holds me back but rather as something that helps me participate in life. My wheelchair and my accessible van are what give me the independence and freedom to live a full life, to be engaged and included in my kids’ lives and the community where we live.
They allow me to be a contributing member of society and get the kind of medical care I need.
Sadly, my accessible van, my “wheels”, is no longer reliable which puts a damper on the things I can participate in and the places I can go without a lot of assistance.
This is just a short list of the many things that are going wrong with my accessible van lately:
1. I never know if the door will open or close or if the ramp will come up or down
2. I have injured my arm several times, trying to use the van when the door or ramp is not working correctly and have had to go to physical therapy and get cortisone shots
3. I have been stuck in my van with no way of getting out by myself and other times having to ask strangers to fold my heavy, sometimes unhinged ramp back up
4. I have gone days and sometimes weeks without transportation while my van is being worked on
Randall and I decided enough is enough when Elaina and I were trapped in the van at Urgent Care after she fractured her arm.
Getting a newer van is no longer about my independence or freedom; it is about safety for me and my family.
CAN IT BE FIXED?
We have made numerous attempts of getting my ramp fixed spending thousands of dollars. Each time, a new issue has popped up, costing even more.
With the age of my van, buying a new ramp costs more than the value of my van, which doesn’t make much sense in the long run.
OUR BUDGET
We have reviewed our finances many times and reduced our costs as much as possible, but payments for a 6-year car loan is more than our budget allows.
We even looked into refinancing our mortgage, but even that will not provide enough cash back to buy an accessible van
We are in the process of selling Randall’s truck to help our budget, but we still need some help.
WHERE YOUR MONEY WILL GO -- THE COST OF AN ACCESSIBLE VAN
The cost of an accessible van is unreal. Once we discovered we couldn’t afford the monthly payments of a 6-year loan and that refinancing our mortgage wasn’t enough to buy an accessible van, we had to do some soul searching to admit we need help.
We need help to raise $39,370.00 for the conversion and accessibility components of a van to give me back my independence and freedom, providing a safe means of transportation. Below is the breakdown of the expenses:
Conversion (lowered floor and automatic ramp): $32,000
Hand controls may cost: $2500-4000
Transfer seat: $4500
Quick release tie-down straps: $370
>>>>> TOTAL : $39,370.00
WE ARE ASKING FOR YOUR HELP - HELP ME GET MY 'WHEELS' BACK
I have a wonderful life. Great friends, a supportive family, fun-loving kids, and one crazy dog. But sometimes, we all need a helping hand.
I would not ask for help if I saw any other option for my family. I am in truth a very private person who does not like to ask people for things.
But through the amazing support of my friends and family and after much soul searching, I have come to the conclusion that we are all one big family on this earth and there is so much we can (and do!) do for each other. I see it every day.
So, I am asking for your help – in whatever form or way that you are able to provide it.
My birthday is coming up on November 1st. I have set this as a goal to see how much we can raise by that time.
Here are some things that we would greatly appreciate from you that will go a long way towards reaching this goal of helping me get my freedom back.
· Give what you can; no amount is too small
· Share my story on social media; give updates along the way
· Send personal messages with links to my Go Fund Me page; follow up in person
· Share my story with friends and family, church and civic organizations
· Plan an event to raise $
· Pray for a good outcome
· Send light and love our way
Thank you – you are helping me in more ways than you can possibly know.
“Helping one person might not change the world, but it could change the world of one person.”
-Aamir Hussain
*Note: If you prefer you can give a donation directly at
#WheelsforWhitney
Organizer
Whitney Hilton
Organizer
Starkville, MS
