The Journey For Teryle Watson To Live A New Life

I want to thank everyone who graciously donated to my first Go Fund Me called "Help Teryle Walk Again." At that time, I was recuperating from three back surgeries that left me paralyzed. There was hope that time and physical therapy would bring back my ability to walk.

 

My life has changed dramatically. Currently, I cannot get in and out of bed without the assistance of a caretaker and a hoyer lift. Iam so blessed to have the magnificent wheelchair that so many of you helped purchase through the first fundraiser. It has also helped me equip the interior and exterior of my home with ramps. I smile and give thanks for each of you as I whiz up and down my home in my magical chair.

 

I have to have nursing assistants come morning and evening to help me get cleaned up, dressed and settled into my wheelchair for the day. The process is reversed in the evening.

 

On September 8, 2021, I resumed teaching at the Kanack School of Musical Artistry. The voice and piano lessons are in person at my home or through Zoom.

 

This journey has united me with over 300,000 American senior citizens who now realize that Medicare cannot meet the needs that one must have to live a safe and productive life. Many of us were young starting our careers and families when we were eligible to purchase long term care life insurance that would fill in the Medicare gaps. For young adults, this expense was prohibitive. Many of us now have to turn to our family and friends to fill in the financial gap.

 

I must insure that there is steady and personal help. I have to purchase or to modify my vehicle so that it can accommodate my my electric wheelchair.  We had hoped to get a chairlift installed in my home, but my surgeon strongly feels that I will not have the muscular strength to transfer from my wheelchair to the chairlift.  I need an elevator in my home.  Currently, my hospital bed is in my living room where I do my teaching.  Clearly, this is not appropriate for my students.  In addition, I must be able to support my personal supplies which include a plethora of paper and medical supplies, skin creams, skin cleansers and protective ointments that are necessary to maintain the integrity of my skin.  None of these items are covered by insurance.

Here are the needs of this campaign:

#1--Morning and evening supports even days a week, 365 days a year.  8 hours a day at $20 an hour is $160 daily.  Annually, this comes to$58,400.


#2--The modifications on my vehicle or the possibility of having to purchase a new vehicle  can cost up to $40,000.  This is more economical than than hiring medical transportation at $64 per trip.  Over a multi-year period,  the savings are significant.

#3--Elevator Installation will be approximately $15,000.

#4--Personal supplies listed above not covered by insurance cost $300 weekly for a total of $15,600 annually. 

The goal of this Go Fund Me campaign is $129,000.  Currently, I am relying on my Social Security, my New York State Teacher's Pension and the generosity of very dear family and friends for our basic living expenses but we are financially hemorrhaging. 

This major life event has been very hard for my children and my grandchildren.  I want them to see that life can be productive under the most difficult of circumstances.  Your support will allow me to do this.