Support for Nicholas's Medical Needs

Hello! My name is Lori, and my husband, Nate, and I have a 5 year old son, Nicholas, who was born with Spina Bifida. We received his diagnosis in April of 2019, and on May 22, 2019, just three days after our wedding, we traveled out of state to have fetal surgery to repair the hole in his spine. He was born just 3 months later in August 2019, and is our angel.

Nicholas has many medical expenses that add up on a regular basis. For example, his monthly supply of catheters is $256 each month after insurance.

Up until now, he has been using child enemas to help his bowels move, as he is unable to use the bathroom independently. This is no longer working for him, and he has been diagnosed with chronic constipation, with significant amounts of stool showing up in x-rays. We are attending a bowl management clinic week from 5/28-6/6 where he will receive multiple x-rays, ultrasounds, and high-volume enemas to prepare us to administer these enemas at home.

These enemas require him to be able to sit on the toilet for at least an hour, up to an hour and half. He is too small for a standard toilet, and seats that are meant for his size do not offer the pressure relief support or stability for him to sit for that length of time. Enter, the Rifton HTS toilet and hygiene chair.

After months of searching, asking various therapists in his multiple clinics, and looking at every option possible, this was the only one that I felt confident would be able to suit our needs. Because we are starting the high-volume enemas soon, and need to have a toilet ready for him, I was under pressure to get it quickly. Each option of the toilet is treated as a separate item, with its own associated cost. Things that shouldn’t be separate, are - such as casters for the base, which cost $210. I’ve included a breakdown of each item, and our proof of purchase. I intend to use the calf rest as a foot rest, because I don’t think his feet will reach the footboard yet. I’ve also ordered the mobile base and carrying bag, as we travel out of state at least yearly for his neurosurgery appointments.

This chair also will serve as a shower chair for him when he is old enough to take showers, as it can be used without the attachable toilet to allow him to be able to wash underneath from a seated position. I will continue to update as I am able!

Thank you in advance to anyone who chooses to help us help our son!