BHAMEL@BROWNVM.BITNET (Betsy Hamel) (12/06/90)
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
chaz@hpcea.CE.HP.COM (Charlie Elman) (12/19/90)
Index Number: 12508 Service dogs only cost $125.00. I have one. You can contact Canine Companions for Independance Santa Rosa, Ca. I don't have the number handy, call Information. Good luck, .........chaz