On December 27, 2010, I walked into UW Hospital for a simple, routine surgery for a cyst in my ear.  I was positioned wrong in the surgical suite, my spinal column swelled, and after 10 days of waiting for the swelling to clear, it became clear that the damage was permanent.  I am officially a tetrapilegic--a person unable to feel or use any of my limbs from the shoulders down, and cannot breathe without the assistance of a ventilator.  Obviously, I did not walk back out of UW Hospital...I was rolled out.

At the time, I was getting ready to graduate college, move out on my own, and start my adult life.  Plans changed...drasticallly.  Today, I still live with my parents in my tiny bedroom.  I can never be left alone as I now need 24 hour care.  My family has been wonderful, but I would really like some independence for myself and to be able to feel like an adult. 

We have been working with a construction company to draw up plans for a modest 500 square foot addition to my parent's home that would provide me with a small suite that would include the accessibility features (roll in shower, cabinetry for all of my equipment--ventilator, etc., and room to use my hoyer to get out of bed more simply) I desperately need, as well as a little more privacy and the ability for my nurses to enter into my space directly.  However, we never imagined that this small addition would cost over $65000.  

My parents are taking out additional loans to try to make this project happen for me; however, it is still not enough.  Even with their support, we may not be able to finish many aspects of the addition (like the bathroom) without some assistance.  Would you consider helping me out?