Please help keep my wheelchair van safe
Donation protected
Hi everyone. My name is Steven Hawk and I live in Ware, Ma. and I am 36 years old. On May 8, 2002 at 18 years old I was involved in a motor vehicle accident. At that time I was admitted to U Mass Health Care- University Campus Worcester, Ma.
I sustained traumatic injuries which involved a C- spine fracture with quadriplegia, facial fractures, right femur and tibia / fibula fractures, left ankle fracture, and bilateral pnemothoraces with pulmonary contusion. I was also ventilator dependent. I was getting my nutrition through a g-tube.
On August 13, 2002 I was transferred to Park View Specialty Hospital in Springfield, Ma. Still ventilator dependent, C -spine fracture with quadriplegia, fractures and recurrent pneumonia.
All together from May 2, 2002 until Nov 2, 2002.
God willing I went home to my family with a trach, g- tube, no sensation from the neck down, ulcer sores, 20 medications, and a great deal of fear.
It took a year and a half to get off the ventilator but I did it!
My family purchased a wheelchair lift van in September of 2003. It was a private sale. It is a 1996 Ford Econoline. It is the same vehicle that I have today! It has only 71,265 miles on it. Over the years I have maintained the van with upkeep including the hydraulic lift and ramp.
Unfortunately I have gotten stranded several places with malfunction of the lift and doors.
I just had work done this week which cost $700 to partially fix the doors so they stay shut.
There is much more work needed to be done to make it safe for me to use.
I'm not interested or able in purchasing a new van but would like to keep this one and get work on it to make it safe again.
With my van I am able to get my groceries, prescriptions, go to doctor's, and be part of community events when they happen.
To be able to be part of the community makes me so happy!
Also gives me independence to travel.
I am asking at this time if you could help me with the future costs of replacing parts, controls, and keeping the lift safe.
I have set up an account at my bank for this purpose.
Every bit helps me as I am on a fixed income and have been for 18 years.
Sincerely,
Steven Hawk
I sustained traumatic injuries which involved a C- spine fracture with quadriplegia, facial fractures, right femur and tibia / fibula fractures, left ankle fracture, and bilateral pnemothoraces with pulmonary contusion. I was also ventilator dependent. I was getting my nutrition through a g-tube.
On August 13, 2002 I was transferred to Park View Specialty Hospital in Springfield, Ma. Still ventilator dependent, C -spine fracture with quadriplegia, fractures and recurrent pneumonia.
All together from May 2, 2002 until Nov 2, 2002.
God willing I went home to my family with a trach, g- tube, no sensation from the neck down, ulcer sores, 20 medications, and a great deal of fear.
It took a year and a half to get off the ventilator but I did it!
My family purchased a wheelchair lift van in September of 2003. It was a private sale. It is a 1996 Ford Econoline. It is the same vehicle that I have today! It has only 71,265 miles on it. Over the years I have maintained the van with upkeep including the hydraulic lift and ramp.
Unfortunately I have gotten stranded several places with malfunction of the lift and doors.
I just had work done this week which cost $700 to partially fix the doors so they stay shut.
There is much more work needed to be done to make it safe for me to use.
I'm not interested or able in purchasing a new van but would like to keep this one and get work on it to make it safe again.
With my van I am able to get my groceries, prescriptions, go to doctor's, and be part of community events when they happen.
To be able to be part of the community makes me so happy!
Also gives me independence to travel.
I am asking at this time if you could help me with the future costs of replacing parts, controls, and keeping the lift safe.
I have set up an account at my bank for this purpose.
Every bit helps me as I am on a fixed income and have been for 18 years.
Sincerely,
Steven Hawk
Organizer
Steven Hawk
Organizer
Ware, MA