RHABDOMYOLYSIS RECOVERY

In 1973 a diving accident in Northern Wisconsin left me a C5-6 Quadriplegic.  After spending six months in a rehabilitation hospital and a few years with my parents I found ways to live alone and independently.  After a move to Southeastern Wisconsin in 1979 I became very involved in advocating for the disabled.  I was a founding father of a center for independent living.  I was a risk manager in a major rehabilitation hospital.  I began adaptive sports programs for people with disabilities and I worked closely with wheelchair manufactures to develop “quadriplegic friendly” rugby, basketball, racing and everyday wheelchairs. 

All my years as a Quadriplegic have been spent volunteering many hours providing advice and peer support to others with disabilities.  After forty years of living alone and independently I fell while transferring to my shower bench.  I spent 50+ hours on the floor with both arms pinned under me between the toilet, bathtub, and my wheelchair.  I suffered 20+ pressure wounds, dehydration, hypothermia, and most significantly Rhabdomyolysis, a serious syndrome that results from the death of muscle fibers and the release of there contents into the bloodstream, which has left my left arm paralyzed without much movement and strength.  After spending three weeks in the hospital I had to return home with 24/7 home care.  I am asking for funds to assist with the high cost of home care attendants, medications, bandages, and other durable equipment that is not covered under insurance.

The chances of me making a recovery to where I was prior to the fall are 50/50 and could take up to 1 year.  At the present time I am incurring costs well over $1,000 per week.  With your generous gift I am hoping to relieve the financial hardship and spend more time concentrating on recovering and returning to an independent life.