Rodney's Medical Expenses For Amputation
Donation protected
Rodney Borland is 32 years old, and has been a T6 level paraplegic for almost 20 years. Due to his condition, he’s had countless surgeries over the years, all related to complications with his disabilities. Due to the fact that he cannot walk, he’s always suffered from chronic edema of his legs and feet. This week in fact, Rodney was diagnosed with Stage 3 Lymphedema and now requires immediate surgical intervention(amputation) of both legs before his condition worsens or becomes fatal. Lymphedema causes severe swelling of the limbs, and his condition has reached the point where his clothes no longer fit, and his legs have become extremely heavy and very difficult to handle and care for.
He recently had a consultation with the Orthopedic Surgeon at La Loma Luz Hospital, where they discussed his options for surgery, i.e. amputation of both affected limbs. The Doctor stated that due to high-risk concerns, both amputations cannot be done simultaneously but would have to be done separately. The first surgery would be performed, and he would then be sent home to recuperate for 2-3weeks, after which, provided that there are no complications, the second surgery on his other leg would take place. The attending surgeon further provided him with a list of requirements necessary before surgery, those are; two units of blood in the event that a transfusion is needed, doppler imaging of both legs and a blood test. He also provided a quotation for the cost of the operation which amounted to approximately $4,600bze per surgery or a combined total of $9,200bze for both. As per their policy at La Loma Luz Hospital, all costs must be paid upfront and in full before any operation can be performed.
Rodney is humbly seeking the public’s assistance in any way possible to cover the cost for both operations. Rodney has studied and worked hard his entire life, but due to his various disabilities, he has been unable to gain full-time employment in Belize. He is currently self-employed, and earns a very small wage from various trade skills that he has picked up and taught himself over the years; these include fixing computer hardware and computer programming. Needless to say, he cannot afford the full cost of the surgery at this moment in time especially given the urgency of the situation. I must also add that Rodney has stated that “My feet have always been a huge burden on me over the years, and getting them amputated has always been on my mind but I have always put the idea aside out of fear and anxiety but it seems faith has made up my mind for me and placed me in a situation where I have no choice in the matter.”
Just a short history about Rodney.
As mentioned before Rodney has been a paraplegic for almost 20 years. His life altering ordeal started on the night of October 11th 2002 at around 8pm. He was only 13 years old at the time working in his parents’ family-owned grocery. He was alone in the store that night, cleaning up and getting ready to close up the store for the night as he normally did. As Rodney was carrying out his tasks an armed individual wearing a mask entered the store, pointed a gun at him, and demanded money. Regrettably, since it was closing time there was no money in the store and Rodney was shot as a result. The bullet punctured his right lung, which later left him with a permanent tracheotomy and made him unable to speak without the use of an electrolarynx device, the bullet also broke his spinal cord at the T6 level leaving him permanently disabled from chest down and bound to a wheelchair for life. Over the years, Rodney has faced many challenges and has overcome many obstacles. It took him almost three years to fully recover from his injuries and through the grace of God he prevailed. In 2005, as a paraplegic, he enrolled in high school at the Toledo Community College in his small hometown of Punta Gorda and graduated with honors in June of 2008. He later attended the University Of Belize for two years but had to leave in 2012 when he fell ill and had to undergo surgery on his back. He had every intention of returning to UB to finish his studies but in 2013 his mother fell ill and he decided to stay at home look after her and his younger brother. Unfortunately Rodney’s Mom succumbed to her ailments and passed away in 2014 after a long battle with diabetes and kidney failure. Rodney being the strong persevering person that he is, pushed forward through all the difficulties. He kept his spirits up and in 2015 he was offered an opportunity to study in the US. In 2018 he graduated with his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management and Management Information Systems from the University of Wisconsin. In that same year Rodney returned home to Punta Gorda proud of his endeavors but still sad that his mother was no longer alive to share in his accomplishments. He built himself a small house in the same village in Punta Gorda where he grew up and where he still resides. Today Rodney is self-employed and runs an online business out of his home to earn an income. He has been an inspiration to many everywhere he goes and in everything he does. He still has many dreams and aspirations for the future and as always, he is determined to work hard to see them come to fruition. At this moment in time he needs just little help as he bravely tackles yet another obstacle that life has placed in his path.
He recently had a consultation with the Orthopedic Surgeon at La Loma Luz Hospital, where they discussed his options for surgery, i.e. amputation of both affected limbs. The Doctor stated that due to high-risk concerns, both amputations cannot be done simultaneously but would have to be done separately. The first surgery would be performed, and he would then be sent home to recuperate for 2-3weeks, after which, provided that there are no complications, the second surgery on his other leg would take place. The attending surgeon further provided him with a list of requirements necessary before surgery, those are; two units of blood in the event that a transfusion is needed, doppler imaging of both legs and a blood test. He also provided a quotation for the cost of the operation which amounted to approximately $4,600bze per surgery or a combined total of $9,200bze for both. As per their policy at La Loma Luz Hospital, all costs must be paid upfront and in full before any operation can be performed.
Rodney is humbly seeking the public’s assistance in any way possible to cover the cost for both operations. Rodney has studied and worked hard his entire life, but due to his various disabilities, he has been unable to gain full-time employment in Belize. He is currently self-employed, and earns a very small wage from various trade skills that he has picked up and taught himself over the years; these include fixing computer hardware and computer programming. Needless to say, he cannot afford the full cost of the surgery at this moment in time especially given the urgency of the situation. I must also add that Rodney has stated that “My feet have always been a huge burden on me over the years, and getting them amputated has always been on my mind but I have always put the idea aside out of fear and anxiety but it seems faith has made up my mind for me and placed me in a situation where I have no choice in the matter.”
Just a short history about Rodney.
As mentioned before Rodney has been a paraplegic for almost 20 years. His life altering ordeal started on the night of October 11th 2002 at around 8pm. He was only 13 years old at the time working in his parents’ family-owned grocery. He was alone in the store that night, cleaning up and getting ready to close up the store for the night as he normally did. As Rodney was carrying out his tasks an armed individual wearing a mask entered the store, pointed a gun at him, and demanded money. Regrettably, since it was closing time there was no money in the store and Rodney was shot as a result. The bullet punctured his right lung, which later left him with a permanent tracheotomy and made him unable to speak without the use of an electrolarynx device, the bullet also broke his spinal cord at the T6 level leaving him permanently disabled from chest down and bound to a wheelchair for life. Over the years, Rodney has faced many challenges and has overcome many obstacles. It took him almost three years to fully recover from his injuries and through the grace of God he prevailed. In 2005, as a paraplegic, he enrolled in high school at the Toledo Community College in his small hometown of Punta Gorda and graduated with honors in June of 2008. He later attended the University Of Belize for two years but had to leave in 2012 when he fell ill and had to undergo surgery on his back. He had every intention of returning to UB to finish his studies but in 2013 his mother fell ill and he decided to stay at home look after her and his younger brother. Unfortunately Rodney’s Mom succumbed to her ailments and passed away in 2014 after a long battle with diabetes and kidney failure. Rodney being the strong persevering person that he is, pushed forward through all the difficulties. He kept his spirits up and in 2015 he was offered an opportunity to study in the US. In 2018 he graduated with his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management and Management Information Systems from the University of Wisconsin. In that same year Rodney returned home to Punta Gorda proud of his endeavors but still sad that his mother was no longer alive to share in his accomplishments. He built himself a small house in the same village in Punta Gorda where he grew up and where he still resides. Today Rodney is self-employed and runs an online business out of his home to earn an income. He has been an inspiration to many everywhere he goes and in everything he does. He still has many dreams and aspirations for the future and as always, he is determined to work hard to see them come to fruition. At this moment in time he needs just little help as he bravely tackles yet another obstacle that life has placed in his path.
If you are not able to help at this time, please share with someone you think might be able to.
Your Kindness Greatly is Appreciated.
Anyone in the Country of Belize that would like to donate can send their donations to :
Belize Bank
Rodney Borland
Account # 165678010220001
Organizer
Sharifa Brassfield
Organizer
Deltona, FL