HOPE FOR HOONYA
Donation protected
HOPE for HOONYA
Imagine trying to live your life without walking. The challenges never stop. Hope keeps you going.
THE ACCIDENT
In a moment life can change forever. On the morning of July 5, 2018, Jenny Mapes rang the bell to celebrate completion of radiation for endometrial cancer. The day that should have been a celebration of triumph became a parent’s worst nightmare when Jenny got the call: her son Hoonya Mapes had been in a terrible car accident. While driving on a Mississippi road, Hoonya swerved to avoid a deer, sending his car into an embankment. He was ejected and had to be airlifted by helicopter to University Hospital in Jackson.
Hoonya had head trauma, broken ribs, and a broken left leg below his knee. His diagnosis of a C6 incomplete cervical spinal cord injury was clear. The future was murky. He was left with some feeling below his waist and some movement. Could Hoonya walk again? With rehab the chance hovered around 50/50. One doctor said possibly, another said no. Prompt rehab was the key to Hoonya’s future.
A year later, Hoonya is still waiting for rehab. A few scenes from his living nightmare are the botched treatment for a stage 4 bedsore, a healthcare maze, and insurance denial for the intense electrical stimulation rehab that could change Hoonya’s life. Meanwhile Hoonya has lost weight from over 180 pounds to 147 pounds.
BEFORE THE ACCIDENT
Hoonya Mapes is a fighter. He’s strong-willed and determined, ready with a quick joke and infectious smile. Before July 2018, he traveled the country as boilermaker from his home base in Hammond, Louisiana before settling down to manage his family's gym in Magee, Mississippi. As a high school athlete, he once ran 97 yards for a touchdown. He was an avid fisherman.
THE SITUATION NOW
The Obstacles To Independence
Hoonya’s goal is to take care of himself as much as he possibly can. He continues to live in Hammond, Louisiana where he was born Karl A. Mapes, Jr. He has some feeling below his waist and some movement. He needs surgery on his right eye, his neck and possibly his back. His arms are functional but need strength training. He has been hospitalized for infections and complications that could be minimalized with self-care training in rehab.
Even the normally simple things are complicated. Promised renovations to Hoonya’s home have not materialized. Doors need to be widened to accommodate his wheelchair, a shower with a bench installed, and the bathroom sink modified. The kitchen needs changes to make it possible for Hoonya to prepare his own meals and clean up.
A Mother’s Battle To Find Strength
Meanwhile, Hoonya’s mother Jenny Mapes moved into his home to take care of him 24/7. A heart patient and endometrial cancer survivor, Jenny’s medication for recent lung cancer leaves her fatigued and short of breath making caring for Hoonya a challenge. Jenny is no stranger to handling stressful situations. As the former manager of a credit union and owner of a fitness studio, Jenny has always been a generous friend to anyone in need.
Hoonya is Jenny’s top priority. His health comes before her own.
Obstacles On The Road To Independence
Hoonya has a wheelchair and Jenny has a truck. Hoonya’s upper body strength is currently not adequate to lift himself. With proper rehab, that could be remedied. Jenny carries ramps for helping Hoonya into the cab. She then loads the ramps and lifts the wheelchair into the truck bed. As Hoonya says, “You gotta do what you gotta do.”
Hoonya could drive a modified van with rehab and training. It would make him more independent and remove a major burden from Jenny’s shoulders.
THE NEED
Home
First, Hoonya’s home needs to be made wheelchair friendly. Doors need to be widened, a shower with a bench installed, and the bathroom sink modified. The kitchen, bedroom and living areas need accessibility changes. The estimated cost for materials and labor is $10,000-$35,000.
Rehabilitation
Hoonya’s rehab is crucial. The estimated cost is $1,600 per day for 60 days which totals $96,000. He latest appeal to reverse the denial by Blue Cross for Louisiana HMO was denied. Any further delay in treatment will only make it harder for Hoonya to achieve his goal of taking care of himself.
Van
An ADA-compliant van with the hand controls, ramp and safety features Hoonya will need to transport himself could cost from $20,000 to $60,000. Our goal is $40,000.
Lifecare
Hoonya’s long-term needs will be determined by the success of his rehab. He will need help to cover the cost of his living expenses and home health care.
THE BUDGET
Cash or In-Kind The budget shows how much cash will be needed. However, Hoonya and Jenny would be grateful for in-kind contributions like construction materials and labor--or the use of a wheelchair accessible van.
Home: $ 35,000
Rehab: $ 96,000
Van: $ 40,000
Goal: $171,000
Thank you for taking time to read Hoonya’s story. Know that any contribution, no matter how small, will mean the world to Hoonya and Jenny. Your kindness will never be forgotten.
THE SPONSORS
Sisters Stephanie Thurman Harper, Linda Thurman, and Donna Thurman Adams are sponsoring #hopeforhoonya. Stephanie and Jenny met as preschoolers in Brookhaven, Mississippi. Their friendship was rekindled a few years later when both families moved to Hammond, Louisiana.
Sponsors Linda, Stephanie and Donna with Mama T's photo
Linda, Stephanie,and Donna are the daughters of LaNelle Thurman or “Mama T” as Jenny and the other kids in their College Drive neighborhood called her. In loving memory of Mama T, the sisters are committed to helping Jenny and Hoonya. Anything you could do to help will be appreciated.
Donations are deposited into a Hope for Hoonya checking account and administered by Linda and Stephanie. Linda has managed donations and accounting for nonprofit organizations for over 20 years.
Checks
If you prefer to send a check, please make it payable to HOPE FOR HOONYA and mail to
HOPE FOR HOONYA
c/o Stephanie Harper
112 Aurora Blvd.
Hammond, LA 70403
Contact
Stephanie Harper
[email redacted]
(985) [phone redacted]
#hopeforhoonya
Guarantee
It is not easy to trust an online plea. GoFundMe offers a donor guarantee. Check it out at https://pages.gofundme.com/guarantee-policy/.
Your kindness will never be forgotten!
Imagine trying to live your life without walking. The challenges never stop. Hope keeps you going.
THE ACCIDENT
In a moment life can change forever. On the morning of July 5, 2018, Jenny Mapes rang the bell to celebrate completion of radiation for endometrial cancer. The day that should have been a celebration of triumph became a parent’s worst nightmare when Jenny got the call: her son Hoonya Mapes had been in a terrible car accident. While driving on a Mississippi road, Hoonya swerved to avoid a deer, sending his car into an embankment. He was ejected and had to be airlifted by helicopter to University Hospital in Jackson.
Hoonya had head trauma, broken ribs, and a broken left leg below his knee. His diagnosis of a C6 incomplete cervical spinal cord injury was clear. The future was murky. He was left with some feeling below his waist and some movement. Could Hoonya walk again? With rehab the chance hovered around 50/50. One doctor said possibly, another said no. Prompt rehab was the key to Hoonya’s future.
A year later, Hoonya is still waiting for rehab. A few scenes from his living nightmare are the botched treatment for a stage 4 bedsore, a healthcare maze, and insurance denial for the intense electrical stimulation rehab that could change Hoonya’s life. Meanwhile Hoonya has lost weight from over 180 pounds to 147 pounds.
BEFORE THE ACCIDENT
Hoonya Mapes is a fighter. He’s strong-willed and determined, ready with a quick joke and infectious smile. Before July 2018, he traveled the country as boilermaker from his home base in Hammond, Louisiana before settling down to manage his family's gym in Magee, Mississippi. As a high school athlete, he once ran 97 yards for a touchdown. He was an avid fisherman.
THE SITUATION NOW
The Obstacles To Independence
Hoonya’s goal is to take care of himself as much as he possibly can. He continues to live in Hammond, Louisiana where he was born Karl A. Mapes, Jr. He has some feeling below his waist and some movement. He needs surgery on his right eye, his neck and possibly his back. His arms are functional but need strength training. He has been hospitalized for infections and complications that could be minimalized with self-care training in rehab.
Even the normally simple things are complicated. Promised renovations to Hoonya’s home have not materialized. Doors need to be widened to accommodate his wheelchair, a shower with a bench installed, and the bathroom sink modified. The kitchen needs changes to make it possible for Hoonya to prepare his own meals and clean up.
A Mother’s Battle To Find Strength
Meanwhile, Hoonya’s mother Jenny Mapes moved into his home to take care of him 24/7. A heart patient and endometrial cancer survivor, Jenny’s medication for recent lung cancer leaves her fatigued and short of breath making caring for Hoonya a challenge. Jenny is no stranger to handling stressful situations. As the former manager of a credit union and owner of a fitness studio, Jenny has always been a generous friend to anyone in need.
Hoonya is Jenny’s top priority. His health comes before her own.
Obstacles On The Road To Independence
Hoonya has a wheelchair and Jenny has a truck. Hoonya’s upper body strength is currently not adequate to lift himself. With proper rehab, that could be remedied. Jenny carries ramps for helping Hoonya into the cab. She then loads the ramps and lifts the wheelchair into the truck bed. As Hoonya says, “You gotta do what you gotta do.”
Hoonya could drive a modified van with rehab and training. It would make him more independent and remove a major burden from Jenny’s shoulders.
THE NEED
Home
First, Hoonya’s home needs to be made wheelchair friendly. Doors need to be widened, a shower with a bench installed, and the bathroom sink modified. The kitchen, bedroom and living areas need accessibility changes. The estimated cost for materials and labor is $10,000-$35,000.
Rehabilitation
Hoonya’s rehab is crucial. The estimated cost is $1,600 per day for 60 days which totals $96,000. He latest appeal to reverse the denial by Blue Cross for Louisiana HMO was denied. Any further delay in treatment will only make it harder for Hoonya to achieve his goal of taking care of himself.
Van
An ADA-compliant van with the hand controls, ramp and safety features Hoonya will need to transport himself could cost from $20,000 to $60,000. Our goal is $40,000.
Lifecare
Hoonya’s long-term needs will be determined by the success of his rehab. He will need help to cover the cost of his living expenses and home health care.
THE BUDGET
Cash or In-Kind The budget shows how much cash will be needed. However, Hoonya and Jenny would be grateful for in-kind contributions like construction materials and labor--or the use of a wheelchair accessible van.
Home: $ 35,000
Rehab: $ 96,000
Van: $ 40,000
Goal: $171,000
Thank you for taking time to read Hoonya’s story. Know that any contribution, no matter how small, will mean the world to Hoonya and Jenny. Your kindness will never be forgotten.
THE SPONSORS
Sisters Stephanie Thurman Harper, Linda Thurman, and Donna Thurman Adams are sponsoring #hopeforhoonya. Stephanie and Jenny met as preschoolers in Brookhaven, Mississippi. Their friendship was rekindled a few years later when both families moved to Hammond, Louisiana.
Sponsors Linda, Stephanie and Donna with Mama T's photo
Linda, Stephanie,and Donna are the daughters of LaNelle Thurman or “Mama T” as Jenny and the other kids in their College Drive neighborhood called her. In loving memory of Mama T, the sisters are committed to helping Jenny and Hoonya. Anything you could do to help will be appreciated.
Donations are deposited into a Hope for Hoonya checking account and administered by Linda and Stephanie. Linda has managed donations and accounting for nonprofit organizations for over 20 years.
Checks
If you prefer to send a check, please make it payable to HOPE FOR HOONYA and mail to
HOPE FOR HOONYA
c/o Stephanie Harper
112 Aurora Blvd.
Hammond, LA 70403
Contact
Stephanie Harper
[email redacted]
(985) [phone redacted]
#hopeforhoonya
Guarantee
It is not easy to trust an online plea. GoFundMe offers a donor guarantee. Check it out at https://pages.gofundme.com/guarantee-policy/.
Your kindness will never be forgotten!
Co-organizers (2)
Linda Thurman
Organizer
Hammond, LA
Stephanie Thurman Harper
Co-organizer