Handicap shower needed for MS patient
Donation protected
Shirley has had Multiple Sclerosis for over 2 decades. She struggles to walk with her walker due to the spasticity in her legs. Image walking stiff legged. Not bending your leg at your knees. It doesn't take much to trip and fall on the smallest obstacle in her path because her foot does not come off the floor very far with each step. It is very difficult to get in the shower because she has to lift each foot over the edge of the shower entrance. Her legs have gotten weaker and sometimes they just give out and she goes down. So picture in your mind stepping into the shower. You have to do it one foot at a time. Putting all her weight on one foot/leg is difficult and dangerous. Her current shower is a one person triangle shaped shower. She uses a round stool to set on while showering. It's not very stable. She has fallen numerous times in the shower. There is no place for her legs or the shower stool to go when she falls. She is pinned in there pretty good. It is very difficult to get her out once this happens.
The day before Thanksgiving this year she fell trying to get into our house and broke a bone in her right leg. Since then she has fallen in the shower twice! I feel so bad for her when it happens because her legs are jammed up against the shower walls. It's not a quick process to get her out of there. She is in desperate need of a larger handicapped shower with handicap bars and a wall mounted stool.
Due to the progression of her MS, I have quit my job of 30 years to stay at home to help her with her many daily needs. Our only income is her disability and I get 10% disability from VA for service-related hearing loss.
To make matter worst Social Security is blocking her from getting affordable healthcare for one year! I am forced to pay out of pocket for every doctor office visit from June 2018 to July 2019. For anyone that knows anything about MS. There are many things that don't function like they used to. Going to the doctor is critical to help manage your symptoms. I have contacted everyone that will listen to me about this and have gotten nowhere! I am talking news media, celebrities, my congressman, various MS organizations and even the president. I have not given up this fight but Shirley is the one suffering while I try to find someone that cares enough to overrule Social Security.
A good friend of mine has volunteered his services to help me convert one of our single stall showers into a handicap shower. I just need some help with the funding for the materials.
We have accumulated 5K in medical bills to date, Since not having medical coverage for Shirley
We are also in need of a Milford person lift to lift her from her wheelchair into our vehicle. They cost $6500.
Thank you for taking the time to listen to Shirley's story. If you find it in your heart to make a contribution towards a new shower for Shirley, please know that myself and Shirley are extremely grateful for your gift and compassion.
The day before Thanksgiving this year she fell trying to get into our house and broke a bone in her right leg. Since then she has fallen in the shower twice! I feel so bad for her when it happens because her legs are jammed up against the shower walls. It's not a quick process to get her out of there. She is in desperate need of a larger handicapped shower with handicap bars and a wall mounted stool.
Due to the progression of her MS, I have quit my job of 30 years to stay at home to help her with her many daily needs. Our only income is her disability and I get 10% disability from VA for service-related hearing loss.
To make matter worst Social Security is blocking her from getting affordable healthcare for one year! I am forced to pay out of pocket for every doctor office visit from June 2018 to July 2019. For anyone that knows anything about MS. There are many things that don't function like they used to. Going to the doctor is critical to help manage your symptoms. I have contacted everyone that will listen to me about this and have gotten nowhere! I am talking news media, celebrities, my congressman, various MS organizations and even the president. I have not given up this fight but Shirley is the one suffering while I try to find someone that cares enough to overrule Social Security.
A good friend of mine has volunteered his services to help me convert one of our single stall showers into a handicap shower. I just need some help with the funding for the materials.
We have accumulated 5K in medical bills to date, Since not having medical coverage for Shirley
We are also in need of a Milford person lift to lift her from her wheelchair into our vehicle. They cost $6500.
Thank you for taking the time to listen to Shirley's story. If you find it in your heart to make a contribution towards a new shower for Shirley, please know that myself and Shirley are extremely grateful for your gift and compassion.
Organizer
Shirley Thompson
Organizer
Charlotte, MI
