Let's Help a Paralyzed Man Stay in His Home

Hi, my name is Joe Zavala. I am starting this GoFundMe in order to raise enough money to provide additional in-home care support for my friend Everett “Rett” Erickson so that he may remain living in his home.

Rett is paralyzed from his shoulders downward due to a spinal cord injury at the C-4 level. He broke his neck in an automobile accident when he was in high school over 55 years ago and has relied upon in-home caregivers throughout this time to provide all necessary tasks required for daily living.

Rett retired from a 32-year career in the banking and commercial real estate world, and prior to his retirement in 2020, was able to pay out-of-pocket for his caregiving/attendant care needs. However, the amount of in-home support Rett requires has increased as he ages, and his 401(k) and other retirement funds were exhausted in a short amount of time. Although he receives government support to help pay for his caregiving/attendant care needs, the number of hours of in-home care provided by government programs are simply too few to provide him with adequate care at this stage in his life. Proceeds from this GoFundMe effort will be utilized to pay for the shortfall of needed caregiving hours above what the government is able to fund under current guidelines and to help Rett remain healthy and in his own home. Typical duties performed by Rett’s caregivers are daily stretching exercises, bathing, getting him dressed and transferred into his electric-powered wheelchair, as well as cooking meals and feeding him. Additional duties include light housework, driving him to appointments, and grocery shopping.

Rett, who is now 72, has lived in his community for 44 years. He values his independence, and the location of his home allows him to access his downtown area in his wheelchair. Contributions to Rett’s GoFundMe would ensure that he realizes his desire to remain in his beloved community. I have known Rett for 48 years, and I am a better person for it.