Help Elise Walk Again

“My name is Elise. I am 25 years old and about a year and a half ago I suffered a traumatic spinal cord injury. The end of May 2014, I was sitting on the balcony wall of my four story high apartment. My foot got caught in the balcony railing, I lost my balance and fell, landing on the roof of the first floor. Thankfully, I landed on my feet and not my head and I survived. The Lord gave me a second chance at life. I spent two weeks in the ICU at John Muir Hospital in Walnut Creek. The doctors there told me I fractured my spine in two places; T12 and L4 as well as my left Tibia. They fused my spine to stabilize the two crushed vertebra and then told me I would never walk again or have feeling below my waist. I was released from the hospital to the Santa Clara Valley Rehabilitation facility. It is well-known as a great facility, but unfortunately my insurance wouldn't pay for longer three weeks. I believe that I will walk again with proper physical therapy and perseverance. I have feeling in my thighs and calves and I can lift my legs and stretch them out without any other help, but, unfortunately I do not have feeling or function below my knees and therefor I am unable to move my ankles or feet. None of my nerves were severed, but the nerves in my Sacrum (the part upon I sit all day in my wheelchair), were severely damaged. I am left with constant pain in my legs and lower back. I need to be able to have special physical therapy to get me up off my rear to increase my circulation so that the damaged nerves can get proper nutritional support from increased blood flow. In addition, I have gotten some bracing to help me stand, but I need the facilities and assistance to practice and strengthen my muscles. Unfortunately, these things cost money I don’t have.

 

Due to my injury, I am not able to work yet. It is driving me crazy and I want to be able to go back to work. I moved from my home town and my friends and family to Sacramento so that I could find lower priced housing. Nonetheless, I receive barely enough money form Social Security Disability to pay my rent and utilities and Calfresh (Food Stamps) barely cover my food. 

There is a “gym” that specializes in spinal cord injury (SCI) rehabilitation/exercise near my apartment, it’s called SCI-Fit. I have been able to attend a few times for a great workout, with financial help from family and friends, however, I need to be able to attend on a regular basis. It costs $100 an hour and it would be best if I could work out there twice a week, with each workout with the trainer/therapist being two hours. (None of this is covered by Medi-Cal and no other equivalent physical therapy is available through Medi-Cal.) The two sessions that I have had were motivating and inspiring; the trainers are very caring and want to help see everyone succeed. Without the exercise and motivation, I am languishing and the more time that passes, the likelihood of my regaining the use of my lower legs decreases according to medical studies and my doctors. Please help me walk again.  

In the meantime, I also need help with purchasing a wheelchair that will fit my body needs. As of right now I still have a loaner chair from a wheelchair company called New Motion, which is falling apart. My insurance covers only a portion of the cost and there are certain modifications that I have found necessary for my comfort, such as air tires, and a light weight frame to allow me to travel longer distances. Lastly, I also have a dog, Hazel, who I adopted before my accident. I have not been able to have her with me unless she received training as to be a service animal. I need her to stay with me to help me and for companionship. A fellow SCI friend gave me the name of a place where she had her dog trained called Haustier Kennels. The trainer’s cost is very reasonable; a better deal than I could get anywhere else.

Any amount of donation will help me achieve my goal to walk again. It seems like all I do know is get shuffled around to many uncaring Medi-Cal clinics, who offer little help, and cost me an increasing amount in transportation and medicines. I ask for your help friends and friends of friends and strangers with big hearts. I can't do this without your help and the help of these wonderful trainers. You can always call the Sci-Fit in Sacramento and ask how I am doing or if you have any questions ask for Mike. I will be forever grateful. I will post updates of my progress. To recap, the goal amount is based upon the four hours of therapy a week, funds towards my wheelchair, having my dog trained and the food every month to feed her. My parents visit about once a month and already provide me extra money to help with food, internet, clothing and transportation, but I can’t ask them for to cover everything.  I thank in everyone in advance and will pray for everyone that helps me.”