If you've reached this page, you probably know either myself or my younger sister Tonya Olsen. My husband and I are everyone's go-to people when help is needed, this is our 1st time asking for help. Now we really need YOU!
In October '22 the world began to change drastically for our family. While Tonya has been chronically ill for several years, a new and sudden condition grabbed hold of her. Peripheral artery disease, the condition that was ultimately responsible for our father's death 7 years ago. He had a sudden ruptured Abdominal Aortic Anurysm. We are thankful that Tonya was diagnosed quickly and doctors placed several stents throughout her body. Unfortunately the damage had already been done. In just 5 short weeks, Tonya went from an independent and mobile person to being completely bed bound and in need of a below the knee amputation of her right leg. This happened on 12/5/22. A 10 day stay in an under qualified, under staffed rehab facility resulted in multiple infections throughout her body and more than 30 days stay in 3 different hospitals, 2 additional procedures to her amputation, and ultimately a revised amputation above the knee on 2/2/23(of all days, that's the day our father passed in 2016). Currently Tonya requires round the clock care until she is healed and learns to use her new body. Tonya will likely be in a wheelchair for the duration of her life - she's 49.
My family and I had recently moved from our MA home 5 miles from Tonya to South Carolina to be near our elderly mother. I've since had to leave my husband, mother, daughter and son in law, my pets, my farm and my job to be back in MA to care for Tonya. The expenses of traveling back and forth and additional medical equipment has been crippling, but we've managed. Tonya has great insurance so not having the entire burden is helping, but it's still so much.
There are 2 expenses we simply cannot manage without asking for help.
A wheelchair van and custom electric wheelchair.
My research show that a relatively reliable wheelchair van can range from $20,000 to upwards of $100,000 - ouch. The lower price range puts us in a 12-20 year old vehicle with higher mileage. A $100,000 range would put us in the newer vehicle bracket. We're hoping to be in the $25 - 35,000 range, allowing for an 8-12 year old unit, which is probably a fair place to start. Neither of our current vehicle can be fitted to accommodate Tonya's needs.
Tonya is also in need of a custom electric wheelchair. Her insurance will cover a great deal of the cost. We will be responsible for the balance. That's about $4,000 out of pocket.
We know $35,000 is a big ask for 2 items. Believe me, we know. We simply cannot afford it no matter how hard we crunch our numbers. We know too that these 2 items alone will help Tonya daily to live life with her new limitations.
Please consider donating if you can, every single penny helps. If you aren't able to help financially, please consider sharing this! The more people we reach, the more likely we'll be to reach our goal.
From my family to you, thank you in advance for any help you can muster. Every little bit will help.
Stay strong, stay humble, stay kind.
With much Love,
Kerri
