RJ's Struggle For A Bed

We'd like to share an aspect of our son, brother, nephew, and cousin RJ Mercure's daily challenges. RJ suffers from a rare, debilitating and life-shortening disease known as Friedreich's Ataxia. Friedreich's Ataxia is a genetic disorder that insidiously attacks the muscles and the nervous system. RJ, now 30, was diagnosed with FA at age 12 and his disease has now progressed with devastating impacts. One of the things that would be useful for RJ and his Mom, his caregiver, is an electric bed. The physical requirements of transfer from a wheelchair to a bed, and back again, is now daunting. Bringing any semblance of ease to a process that most take for granted would immensely enhance RJ's quality of life and reduce the exacting toll that awaits his mother and anyone assisting with this element of care. An electric bed can lower to the floor, allowing a seamless transfer and avoidance of caretaker-involved drops and falls. RJ has suffered innumerable instances of these falls, many of those necessitating EMT response. 

The multifunctionality of such a bed would provide RJ the ability to attend to some bathroom needs without the now required assistance of a caregiver.  RJ suffers with upper GI complication, also a byproduct of his illness, and an electric bed would provide positional support and substantial alleviation of the complications.

Despite physician and therapist petitions on behalf of RJ, noting discernible medical needs for this specialized bed, Medicaid has denied RJ's requests.

As RJ's condition worsens, the challenges noted have reached a critical juncture. A purchase quote provided RJ and his Mom by a sympathetic supplier details their cost for the bed at $5,142.00. He will need a specialty mattress and labor and delivery costs that would estimate another $1,400. 

We would be grateful for any contribution you may provide with an eye on securing RJ the bed he so desperately requires. 

We thank you for your consideration.


 UltraCare XT Medical Bed