Hoofdafbeelding inzamelingsactie

Trackchair for Justin

My son, Justin, is a paraplegic who loves to hunt and fish. He loves being outside and living on a farm. He has a kind soul and rarely complains about anything.  He is always offering help to everyone saying “If you need any help, call me, and I’ll be right there.” While he truly would help, it is most often not possible.

His family would like to be able to get Justin an Action Trackchair allowing him access to go wherever he wants to go on the farm and to be able to hunt deer under his own power.  This type of chair uses tracks like those on a bulldozer instead of wheels and would allow him freedom to go anywhere he wants. With taxes, shipping and specialized equipment for Justin, the chair will cost $15,000.


Justin was born 30 years ago with myelomeningocele, the most severe, survivable form of spina bifida, and the myriad of complications that come with that.  The nerve endings damaged from the birth defect cannot be repaired.  Justin’s defect included the nerves controlling his ability to walk, bowel and bladder continence and has stunted his physical growth.  Justin will always have a wheelchair as his means of being mobile.  The hydrocephalus has caused mental challenges including his ability to problem solve, manage money and time, read and write, and his short term memory. He continues to have problems with his balance, his sight and anxiety.

Justin has had over 30 surgeries and even more stays in a hospital. His first surgery was just four hours after his birth. He has had multiple shunt revisions.  In 2012, his lungs were damaged when he aspirated while vomiting causing double pneumonia and severe acute respiratory distress.


        As a single mom, I feel it is important for Justin to have a male influence in his life. However, he has very few male role models to help him with his desire to hunt and fish, which he talks about every single day.  Justin’s father was a very important part of his life.  In the summer of 2007, my husband and his dad was diagnosed with Stage 4 esophageal cancer. Even after radiation and chemotherapy, he died the following May.  It devastated Justin.  He had already lost his Pa (great-grandfather) and Papaw (maternal grandfather) a few years before. Last November he lost Grandad, his paternal grandfather. 

Through all of this, Justin has kept a good disposition and uplifting spirit.  One of Justin’s strongest attributes is that he is friendly and never meets a stranger. His family and friends are very important to him. He loves going to church and family get-togethers.  Large crowds, however, make him nervous.


Living in a rural area in southcentral Kentucky, Justin gets to “explore” the farm and help his family when possible.  He is limited in what he can do and where he can go. The power wheelchair Justin has now is 20+ years old. It was bought used then. It has been completely overhauled by his uncle. Problem is the manufacturer no longer exists and parts are hard to come by … if they can be found at all.

Justin, his sister and I would not have been able to make it through these hardships if not for the good Lord above and the love and support of our family and friends. As hard as it is for us to ask for help, this is something we cannot do on our own. Anything given to help would be deeply appreciated.  Thank you so much!!

Organisator

Shannon Matthews
Organisator
Horse Cave, KY

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