Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!yale!bunker!wtm
From: BHAMEL@BROWNVM.BITNET (Betsy Hamel)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Spinal Injury
Message-ID: <16247@bunker.UUCP>
Date: 5 Dec 90 19:49:46 GMT
Sender: wtm@bunker.UUCP
Reply-To: BHAMEL@BROWNVM.BITNET (Betsy Hamel)
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Fidonet: Spinal Injury Conference

Index Number: 12329

On September 16 my son was in an accident which has left him
quadraplegic.  He currently is in rehab in Boston at the New
England Regional Spinal Cord Injury Center.  Jason is 19 and went
over the handle bars on his bicycle.  He is a BMX bicycle racer and
it was before the races and the guys were off in another area of
the park where the racetrack is located.  He was doing things he
does every day, but his back tire hit a stone in a dirt pile and
that's how he went down.  Luckily, he suffered no internal injuries
and had no head injuries.

He hit his head and neck.  C5 went down onto C6 and shattered C6
and to make a long story short, as far as we know, his spinal cord
is intact but was bent into an S shape.

I don't even know where to begin.  I could use some advice in a few
areas.  His rehab has just begun, he should be in Boston about 4
months.  We know Jay will be in an electric wheel chair when he
returns home.  We would like to get a van but they are costly.  I
know there is funding (we live in Rhode Island) to put a lift in,
but does anybody know of help funding the van?  My husband is not
working at this time and I make a modest income.  We are currently
in the process of designing a barrier free modular home which Jason
will return to.

Another question is that we would like to get Jason a service dog.
One organization has told us the dog is about $4,000.  There were
some fund raisers already held for Jason, but that money has gone
for some expenses and also will be used for the down payment of his
house.  Can anyone give me help about fund- ing for a service dog?

Jason, my husband, and myself would like to hear from anyone who
can help us with any aspect of upper spinal injuries, advice,
thoughts, or just a shoulder to lean on.   I look forward to
hearing from people here.   Betsy


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