Kevin's Medical Fund

My name is Kevin Morrill, I am 63 years old. I was an independent, self-reliant teenager. I had paper routes and worked at restaurants as a busboy. But when I was 16 I had a bad diving accident which rendered me a C4 quadriplegic, paralyzed suddenly from the neck down.  My parents tried their best to care for me for about four years. But by the age of 20, I was living in my brother’s house in his living room for about four months while I studied for my GED and passed it. When my brother and his wife were no longer able to care for me, I spoke to my doctor who admitted me to the hospital until I could figure out other plans. My mother was moving to Mexico leaving a small apartment behind which I asked if I could rent. She agreed and after staying in the hospital for three or four months, the Physical Therapy Department went to the apartment and built a ramp for me so I would be able to access my apartment after discharge.  For once, I had someplace to go. My brother and friends offered to help take care of me until I could find someone else to help out.

I never gave up on getting an education and a decent job. I enrolled at a community college and started on my AS degree. I met a man there, Richard, who became a good friend and took care of me in return for room and board. Richard helped me for about two and half years until I graduated from the community college. At this time my attendant care situation became critical, so I decided to take a chance and move to California where they had an excellent attendant care program. Two friends and my mother drove me out to California. I enrolled at Cal State, Los Angeles, where I got my BS degree. This period of my life was not easy. It was a constant struggle with school and care.  Living in California with neither family nor close friends nearby was very difficult. But I was determined to succeed. I moved back to Miami where even without attendant care programs or money to pay for them, I began working for the "Division of Vocational Rehabilitation" and later at the community college as the Vocational Counselor and Instructor. Despite my physical limitations, I worked there for eighteen years. I enjoyed my work and assisting students. I married and my wife, Jill, became my care giver. She has been the biggest blessing in my life.   We later moved to South Georgia. Unfortunately, there was limited funding from Vocational Rehabilitation in Georgia and I found that it wasn’t a priority to help the handicapped like me, who try to keep independent within the community.

I hope this little biography gives you an insight into who I am. Through many years of determination and hard work, I have overcome the adversity of my paralysis. It is not my nature to complain or make inordinate requests of others. But I am now asking for money for assistive devices such as Adapted Van, Wheelchair Stair lift and Environmental Control Unit are a few pieces that I’m going to need. I have been living in Georgia for fourteen years and most of my equipment is out of date and largely useless. My wheelchair- adapted van is seventeen years old with very high mileage and needs constant maintenance to keep it running. I am not a young man and I am unable to find work that will not jeopardize what little monies I do receive from disability.  My wife and I are living below the poverty level.  I am in pretty good shape for a guy who has been paralyzed for over 45 years. This equipment will greatly improve my life, make me more independent and help those assisting me.

If you could please donate any amount it would be very much appreciated and used for essential medical and assistive devices reasons. All this equipment is needed as soon as possible.  

Thank you very much, Kevin Morrill