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This is Julie's story so far....
On October 17, 2016, I was leaving to pick up a wedding cake. (No, not mine.) I reached through my back door to put something inside and like I had done a millions time, I stepped backwards. Only this time, I missed the step and found out I couldn't fly. Instead I “flew” backwards, sliding down the grill of my car and hitting my head on the concrete. Luckily, my garage door was open and my neighbors (two amazing young men) heard my cries for help. Unable to get up, they pulled the car back and called 911.
Instead of having just a dislocated shoulder like they originally thought, when asked to step off the ER gurney to go home, I went to put weight on my feet, but couldn't. The MRI showed my neck broken in three places. I am officially classified as an "incomplete C7". Translation? I am officially a quadriplegic.
After 5 months in the hospital and a rehab facility, I am home. Now at 8 months, I am making progress. I can move my arms, have use of my hands (left is better than right) and though still stiff, I can move my neck and can even stand with the help of a standing frame for a few minutes at a time. How do I get around? Brutus gets me to pretty much most places I want to go. Who is Brutus? He is my power wheel chair.
Who takes care of me? A perfect and amazing combination of family, friends and home health caregivers. I rely most on home health caregivers for my day-to- day needs; I am currently receiving 16 hours of care a day.
What do my home health caregivers do for me? I've had to put all modesty aside. I need their help getting me in and out of bed, help me get in my chair, help me bathe, dress, light housekeeping, laundry and a few other things that do not need to be discussed at this time.
What have I learned since all this happened? First, don't break your neck. Second, get long term care insurance. Financially, this has been a painful learning experience for me. Between making unplanned changes to my home (remodeling a bathroom, widening doorways, installing ramps) and paying for home health care, I'm trying to find creative ways to pay for just about everything. My primary concern is home health care ($12K per month) and paying for just part of my stay in rehab ($60K) that insurance is denying coverage for. I'm working on yet another appeal to the insurance company for the rehab; I'm hoping someone with good sense will finally understand why I needed to be there.
Obviously my goal is to continue making progress with my physical therapy and return to work. In the meantime, to make financial life easier, I am selling my car and requesting your help. My goal is to continue paying for home health care, making additional changes to my home and purchasing a conversion van.
Thank you for helping me find my new normal, FOR NOW!
On October 17, 2016, I was leaving to pick up a wedding cake. (No, not mine.) I reached through my back door to put something inside and like I had done a millions time, I stepped backwards. Only this time, I missed the step and found out I couldn't fly. Instead I “flew” backwards, sliding down the grill of my car and hitting my head on the concrete. Luckily, my garage door was open and my neighbors (two amazing young men) heard my cries for help. Unable to get up, they pulled the car back and called 911.
Instead of having just a dislocated shoulder like they originally thought, when asked to step off the ER gurney to go home, I went to put weight on my feet, but couldn't. The MRI showed my neck broken in three places. I am officially classified as an "incomplete C7". Translation? I am officially a quadriplegic.
After 5 months in the hospital and a rehab facility, I am home. Now at 8 months, I am making progress. I can move my arms, have use of my hands (left is better than right) and though still stiff, I can move my neck and can even stand with the help of a standing frame for a few minutes at a time. How do I get around? Brutus gets me to pretty much most places I want to go. Who is Brutus? He is my power wheel chair.
Who takes care of me? A perfect and amazing combination of family, friends and home health caregivers. I rely most on home health caregivers for my day-to- day needs; I am currently receiving 16 hours of care a day.
What do my home health caregivers do for me? I've had to put all modesty aside. I need their help getting me in and out of bed, help me get in my chair, help me bathe, dress, light housekeeping, laundry and a few other things that do not need to be discussed at this time.
What have I learned since all this happened? First, don't break your neck. Second, get long term care insurance. Financially, this has been a painful learning experience for me. Between making unplanned changes to my home (remodeling a bathroom, widening doorways, installing ramps) and paying for home health care, I'm trying to find creative ways to pay for just about everything. My primary concern is home health care ($12K per month) and paying for just part of my stay in rehab ($60K) that insurance is denying coverage for. I'm working on yet another appeal to the insurance company for the rehab; I'm hoping someone with good sense will finally understand why I needed to be there.
Obviously my goal is to continue making progress with my physical therapy and return to work. In the meantime, to make financial life easier, I am selling my car and requesting your help. My goal is to continue paying for home health care, making additional changes to my home and purchasing a conversion van.
Thank you for helping me find my new normal, FOR NOW!
Organizer and beneficiary
Julie Garcia
Beneficiary