Story

I am a 66 year old man who at age 36 was paralysed from the neck down due to the discovery of a bleeding tumor on my cervical spine. After emergency surgery, I was diagnosed as being quadriplegic. I was married, a father of 10, a businessman, and was encouraged by the medical team to rethink my lifestyle. I was a jogger, and health minded, working out, eating healthy, however as a businessman, running a floor covering business and helping others to develop their business can be stressful, and it was suggested that a car accident that occurred in my early twenties my have been the cause of the tumor’s creation unbeknownst to me.

I began my fight to heal, starting while in the hospital. I realized that the fact that I survived the surgery meant that I had a Purpose for living, and indeed there was a lot of work for me to do! During the surgery the surgeon saw that the nerves that arose from my spine and connected to my brain were enmeshed in the bleeding tumor, and he had to cut the nerves connected to my right, and these were the nerves that controlled my left side function and “pain” and temperature. It left me unable to feel my physicality or to process temperature, so each time I close my eyes, I kind of disappear unto myself. This result has made my life a bit more interesting in that it is always a challenge to do everything, but I am a fighter.

I had to give up my work life, I know what I know, however my ability to focus and to be as hands on is a memory. I have dedicated my life to my healing, and to helping others to heal as well. I was given 5-7 years to live by a doctor, and my dietary and spiritual discipline have gifted me 30 years this year. However, when I applied for Social Security benefits they said that I didn’t have enough quarters in (40) to allow me to receive a full benefit, I had only 39. So at the moment I receive 891 dollars per month, and a $291 EBT food stipend. My rent is $720 monthly until February when it may increase 10%, my electric bill is about $25 monthly, and my phone and internet about $90. I have about $6000 credit card debt that I struggle with the help of donations to pay off. I need at least another $1, 000 per month right now to alleviate the stress of debt and to survive.

I would love to write a book to share a message that inspires others about “How Not To Be Quadriplegic” , however after researching, I realized that that’s a project that too requires funding.

Always thanks!