Joe Wiggers Fights Paralysis
Donation protected
We are the Wiggers Family and we are asking for donations to help care for our dad Joe. For those of you that know Joe, you know he is always the first to step up and help anyone in need. He has the biggest heart, always puts others before himself and is truly an encourager. He's also a very hard worker that always said he wasn't going to retire until he was 103. He's not afraid to talk to complete strangers and ask how they are doing to brighten their days. Unfortunately, the tables are now turned and he's the one that needs your help.
At the end of 2020, our dad was involved in a horrible accident that left him paralyzed. Over the last few months, he has been through so much pain and suffering and it truly breaks our hearts to see him going through all of this.
Everything started with a fracture to his lower back after swerving to avoid two deer in the road. Then several months later, he lost all sensation in his legs, collapsed face first on a cement floor, which then broke his neck. After many surgeries, his surgeon wanted him to be transferred to a well know rehabilitation hospital, but because of COVID, there were no beds available. He was then quickly transferred to a nursing home where he didn't receive the care he needed and deserved. Again, because of COVID, no family members were allowed and we couldn't be there to advocate for him. Medicare denied him after two weeks of being at the nursing home and our family fought and fought to get the appeals to go through. The first appeal was denied and finally after two more weeks, the second appeal was finally approved after getting his surgeon involved and us writing a letter. We thought things were finally turning around and they did to a point. Our dad received the opportunity to transfer to that rehabilitation hospital he was originally supposed to be transferred to. That transfer happened very quick and thankfully it did!
At admissions they were looking over his body and found a stage 4 pressure sore that was infected and had gone into his bone. We were told if he didn't transfer when he did, the infection would have gone into his blood and he could have died. He was supposed to go to this well known rehabilitation hospital to gain strength and mobility, but instead that opportunity was taken from him because of a wound that could have been prevented! Thankfully he still had the opportunity to do three hours of therapy daily, but the remaining 21 hours he had to lie flat in bed.
On February 5, our dad was discharged from the rehabilitation hospital and he is now living with one of his daughters and son in law. All of us kids are doing what we can to help, but he continues to need 24/7 care, turnings throughout the night, wound care, and unfortunately the list goes on and on. Our dad is a former football player (back in the day :) ) that is 6'3" and over 220 lbs. He has lost a ton of weight, but is still very solid and to safely move him it takes two strong people. We have to use a hoyer lift to get him into his power wheel chair and shower chair. We have to change his wound dressing (which is the size of a fist) three times a day. We have to have special wheelchair transportation to go to doctor's appointments, which is between $200 and $250 per transport. And unfortunately we are in the waiting period where we are trying to apply for assistance and waiting for insurance to say they will approve or deny his claim.
Our dad has definitely had a rough past few months. But with many prayers and much support from friends and family he is getting through. We have had so many people ask, what can we do? And unfortunately right now, this is what we need the most help with, financial assistance to help with care, supplies and medical bills. We know these aren't the easiest times and there are so many that are struggling, but please know we would appreciate any financial assistance you can provide so he can get the best care that he deserves! If you can't help financially we completely understand, but if you wouldn't mind saying some prayers for him and share our story with others, we would greatly appreciate that assistance as well.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
Love,
The Wiggers Family
#doitforjoew
At the end of 2020, our dad was involved in a horrible accident that left him paralyzed. Over the last few months, he has been through so much pain and suffering and it truly breaks our hearts to see him going through all of this.
Everything started with a fracture to his lower back after swerving to avoid two deer in the road. Then several months later, he lost all sensation in his legs, collapsed face first on a cement floor, which then broke his neck. After many surgeries, his surgeon wanted him to be transferred to a well know rehabilitation hospital, but because of COVID, there were no beds available. He was then quickly transferred to a nursing home where he didn't receive the care he needed and deserved. Again, because of COVID, no family members were allowed and we couldn't be there to advocate for him. Medicare denied him after two weeks of being at the nursing home and our family fought and fought to get the appeals to go through. The first appeal was denied and finally after two more weeks, the second appeal was finally approved after getting his surgeon involved and us writing a letter. We thought things were finally turning around and they did to a point. Our dad received the opportunity to transfer to that rehabilitation hospital he was originally supposed to be transferred to. That transfer happened very quick and thankfully it did!
At admissions they were looking over his body and found a stage 4 pressure sore that was infected and had gone into his bone. We were told if he didn't transfer when he did, the infection would have gone into his blood and he could have died. He was supposed to go to this well known rehabilitation hospital to gain strength and mobility, but instead that opportunity was taken from him because of a wound that could have been prevented! Thankfully he still had the opportunity to do three hours of therapy daily, but the remaining 21 hours he had to lie flat in bed.
On February 5, our dad was discharged from the rehabilitation hospital and he is now living with one of his daughters and son in law. All of us kids are doing what we can to help, but he continues to need 24/7 care, turnings throughout the night, wound care, and unfortunately the list goes on and on. Our dad is a former football player (back in the day :) ) that is 6'3" and over 220 lbs. He has lost a ton of weight, but is still very solid and to safely move him it takes two strong people. We have to use a hoyer lift to get him into his power wheel chair and shower chair. We have to change his wound dressing (which is the size of a fist) three times a day. We have to have special wheelchair transportation to go to doctor's appointments, which is between $200 and $250 per transport. And unfortunately we are in the waiting period where we are trying to apply for assistance and waiting for insurance to say they will approve or deny his claim.
Our dad has definitely had a rough past few months. But with many prayers and much support from friends and family he is getting through. We have had so many people ask, what can we do? And unfortunately right now, this is what we need the most help with, financial assistance to help with care, supplies and medical bills. We know these aren't the easiest times and there are so many that are struggling, but please know we would appreciate any financial assistance you can provide so he can get the best care that he deserves! If you can't help financially we completely understand, but if you wouldn't mind saying some prayers for him and share our story with others, we would greatly appreciate that assistance as well.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
Love,
The Wiggers Family
#doitforjoew
Organizer
Angey Nieboer
Organizer
Wayland, MI