My name is Rene Morataya Garcia and on October 30, 2020, while on my way to a celebration of life for one of my oldest friends, I was in a devastating car accident. I fractured my C6 vertebrae resulting in a spinal cord injury. It has been a long, traumatic road to get where I am today. I am a quadriplegic who is dealing with the high cost of therapy, transportation, and equipment that comes along with being a disabled individual. I am a young man who strives for a better life and more mobility. 

Many people think insurance must cover enough for me to get by. The reality is I have not been able to afford mental health services to deal with the compounded trauma, physical therapy is limited, mobility equipment is out of reach, and the thought of independent living and ever driving a car again feels inaccessible to me because of a lack of resources. 

I never thought I would ask for help. My pride stood in the way. But I need help and I’m asking now. It may seem like a large sum but it’s minor in the face of all I need. Please help if you can and either way, please share to your network. 

Here are a few things I need and a cost estimate for each - 

motor vehicle - The harsh reality is that the world is not accessible and it was not made for me. I've been pushing through it for a while now and I have missed stuff that I want to go to, appointments I’ve had to cancel, and just something as simple as going to the grocery store. I’m a 21-year-old young man and I want to be able to get out of the house. 

The cost to modify an existing one could be upwards of 12,000$ but through vocational services the modifications be covered but the vehicle cant be too old for liability and safety reasons if somthing were to happen.. Note that the vehicle must be large enough to accommodate my wheelchair and that could run upwards of 25,000$. 

The price might sound high for some but compared to the average wheelchair van which would run double or even triple the amount this is small compared the higher cost of alternatives 

   

Moter Vehicle- 25,000$

 

 Physical Therapy –

Therapy is an important factor in your recovery and yes I have gone but I need to continue going to see progress. Insurance coverage for this has long run out. The majority of my recovery has been spent learning everything on my own through the Internet and various members of the community. Though I learned a significant amount on my own there are many factors, especially for my lower extremities that I have not been able to fully see how much I can get back and I know that given the opportunity I would work hard and recover as much as I can. Therapy prices can range 150-200 per session and with all my other stuff going on I plan to go on a 4 month basis every year with 2 sessions in each week and with insurance issues I would like to have 3 years without stress of not knowing if I'm going to receive therapy. One of my personal goals if ever had the opportunity is to try to get braces and be able to walk with a walker and with my current situation the goal seems unattainable.

Therapy Cost- Approximately 16,800$

Medical Equipment- standing frame

One of the most significant pieces of equipment that I don't own because it isn't covered by insurance would have to be a standing frame. A standing frame is a machine that stands me up. There is a huge benefit of being stood up with a spinal cord injury including better circulation, bone density, and just the feeling of getting up out of the chair

There are many makes and models but the one that I feel most safe in and would be able to independently get into would have to be the standing frame glider

Standing Frame Glider- Approximately- 6500$

Home modification-

For the first time since my injury, I lived in an inaccessible home to the point that I was not able to leave the house on my own and needed assistance to just leave the house. Only this past year did we move to a location that is better but it is never perfect, but there are still many improvements I need. The bathroom for example is not quad-friendly at all. I’m an adult who needs privacy and the ability to attend to my hygiene without asking for help is a basic need anyone would want. The average cost of renovating a home for a disabled individual can cost upwards of 8000$ and more. 

Home Modifications-8000$

Mental Health - As Hispanic men we are conditioned not to seek mental health assistance. The truth of the matter is that I have unaddressed trauma that I’ve tried to suppress. Recently some teenagers from my high school were involved in a head-on crash. The news ripped open so much pain for me and I realized it’s time to address that. The plan is to go for a year at least for one week and can cost about 150 a session and let's say if I go for a whole year that would be 52 weeks of mental therapy

Mental Health Counseling-7800$

Total goal - 65,000$

  if you read it till the end I just wanna say thank you and if you support me I appreciate you and I won't forget your generosity. I honestly had the bare minimum this whole time and it was difficult for me just to ask so if anybody is willing to share or even donate I would be truly thankful. I've been documenting my journey with my disability on social media and for anything that I receive or progress I make I will document it and you can follow it at AniWheels on Instagram.

Thank You Again 

Rene