The Life of The Disabled

2012-01-12T21:52:00.000-05:00

September 22, 1949-April 30, 2010.

NEVER A BURDEN

NEVER TO BE FORGOTTEN

You are my hero

Never a burden

Only the love of my life

A smile so bright

A faith that never waned

You fought so hard

with your will to live

Our time so short

We had much to do

I don't understand

I can only ask why

I know you are at peace

No longer in pain

That you are free of your chains

God heard your cry

He set you free

Sadly missed by all who loved him

Always my hero

Never to be forgotten

Love Always

Linda

“If the people we love are stolen from us, the way to have them live on is to never stop loving them. Buildings burn, people die, but real love is forever.” (author unknown)

My reason for doing this blog, is to honor those like Michael.

Up until April, 2007, Michael enjoyed a lot of things. He was doing for himself, just like any other person. He walked, drove, talked, cooked, dressed himself, did his grocery shopping. He was active with his church. Michael wrote music, played the guitar and keyboard with the music ministry at his church. Michael also was the lead singer for the little church band he was in. He was looking forward to participating in a new bible class for children that was to begin in September, 2007.

On one fateful day, Michael found himself in the second hospital emergency room, the same day, to realize that he was paralyzed without knowing why. By August, 2007, Michael was now, not only paralyzed, but on life support, where he remained until his death on April 30, 2010. Michael died at home. A nursing home was never an option for either of us, contrary to the opinion of others.

Michael, only months earlier, had been diagnosed with Transverse Myelitis, and herniated disc pain, as the cause for his sudden paralysis. In reality, Michael had an AVM (arteriovenous malformation dural fistula) on his cervical spine, which not only left him paralyzed, but also with a paralyzed diaphragm which caused him to be ventilator dependent. The sad part of this is that his problems could have been avoided if he had of been diagnosed correctly. (At this time, I cannot go into what happened for legal reasons, but you can be sure, once I can, I will speak loudly about the lousy medical system we have, and why this happened to Michael. I will also speak loudly about the continued lousy medical care, and how the system continued to fail him.

For 3 years, Michael was bedridden. The only time he was every outside, was to be transferred between medical facilities, or from home to hospital and back home again. It took a year to get a Power tilt wheelchair for him, which was inappropriate and too small. Michael was never able to get real use out of it. He had to lie in his bed and look at something he wanted so badly, yet could not use. This is thanks to the Insurance System, and the Medicare/Medicaid System. If anybody has experience with Insurance companies and the government systems that are to help the disabled, know that there is no help, but only a battle to fight for every crumb that is needed.

REASONS FOR BLOG

One is to let the world know the reality of the life of the truly disabled.

The next reason is that I am in hopes to raise enough money to start a foundation in Michael's memory. Michael was never able to use his wheelchair. But, through word of mouth, I found a family with a quadriplegic son, who had been a quad since birth, that had fought the system for over 20 years to get an appropriate wheelchair for their Special Needs son. This young man was has his high-end power tilt wheelchair now. He can continue being active with his friends. He can now change his body position, decrease the risk of blood clots and pressure sores. Michael's wheelchair was donated to this young man.

I know what the battles are. I know what it is to need something as simple as vitamins, food supplements, medical supplies that the insurance company, nor the state will pay for. I know only too well, the reality of the financial hardship the bureaucracy creates for us.

I want to be able to start a foundation that will help others get those wheelchairs they are denied. I want to help those get wheelchair ramps without them having to take out a bank loan. I want to help those who need special skin care items, supplements, and even medications, and able to obtain them through the foundation I hope to create.

Michael is gone, but he will always be with me. He will never be forgotten.

I invite others to add the story of their "Hero" to my blog. I do not want these stories in a comment box. These stories deserve much better than that.

Go to any page and click on pencil. You can then add your story, comments, etc.

This blog is only the beginning. I was and continue to be Michael's voice. I will never give up the fight I have ahead of me. I will make someone sit up, take notice, and stop denying the needs of those who are truly disabled.

One message is: "My Loved One Is Not, Does Not, Nor Should They have to go to a nursing home, because we cannot get the help we need to bring them home.

I only hope that I can maintain the faith in God, that Michael had. If not, I will never be able to keep going on.

Linda Smith

linsm2010@gmail.com
Disclosure: I may generate income from
links or ads provided on my website.aa
The income generated is to help others like Michael.

Picture From Google Images that
is identical to Stephanie, Michael's
Best Friend

MICHAEL'S BEST FRIEND: SPCA DOG THAT NOBODY WANTED

Stephanie, a chow mix had been at the SPCA for months. Nobody would take her home.

We had gone to the SPCA and had seen Stephanie, but ended up taking another dog home and had to return him, only to find out that he had been destroyed. We were offered the choice of another dog. While waiting, one of the shelter workers was getting ready to walk a dog, and that dog was Stephanie. Nobody wanted Stephanie, we were told. Stephanie was a very timid dog, and probably had been abused, and certainly was afraid of men. My fiance, Michael, was with me, but when he sat down, much to the surprise of the shelter staff, Stephanie jumped up and laid down beside him, as if to say, “Please take me home with you.” We took Stephanie home that day.

We found out that she had never been tested for heartworms, and she had been infected. Michael took her to the SPCA to get her treatments, over 10 trips back and forth. Stephanie, was so sick, we thought she was going to die while we were trying to save her life. It took almost a year to get Stephanie healthy again.

Stephanie, a 40 pound, Shepard-Chow mix, was afraid of everything, even her own shadow. She ran from the sound of rattling paper. She hid under the sofa, under the bed for over a year. She was afraid to go outside. It was so bad, our private veterinarian tried medication to help her. However, she had a seizure; so we stopped the medication and had to accept her for how she was.

While she was still afraid of everything, Michael ended up paralyzed and on life support. He remained in a medical facility for over seven months before he came home. From the day, Michael came home, Stephanie was never the same. The timid dog nobody wanted because she was so afraid, turned into a barking, I dare you to come in this house, stay away from my daddy dog. She became Micheal’s protector. She knew he was ill before anybody did. I knew while he was in the hospital how he was doing in the middle of the night, by the way Stephanie acted.

From the day Michael came home, she was his best friend, his protector, and the one thing that would help his depression. She knew not to go near his trach. She knew she had to be gentle with him. If I was out of the room, and his alarms went off for his ventilator or his pulse oximeter, she came to let me know.

Michael, passed away on April 30, 2010. Stephanie is very sad, but she is now my protector and there when I am having a bad day. I truly believe that Michael has communicated with her and has told her what she needs to do now.

All those people who passed her by because she was so afraid, don’t have any idea as to what a terrific dog they passed up. Our little Stephanie, finally got a home with us, and is no longer that shy, afraid, paranoid dog anymore.

Stephanie, the SPCA reject, isn’t a reject anymore. She is a prime example of what patience and love; will do for an abused animal that needs a home. The love she has given to us, the help she gave Michael, is so much more than all the love and attention we have given her for the past four years of having her in our home.

Yes, our little Stephanie, finally found a home.

Written By Linda Smith

_________________________________________________________________________________

Car Seat Expiration Dates: Keep Your Baby Safe

2011-11-23T03:40:00.000-05:00

Car Seat Expiration Dates: Keep Your Baby Safe

Free Printable Valentines Day Cards

2011-11-22T19:08:00.000-05:00

Free Printable Valentines Day Cards

Winter Clothing

2011-10-21T22:23:00.000-04:00

Spinal Cord Injuries Create Risk For Hypothermia

Those who have spinal cord injuries may also have problems with their body temperature due to the fact that they may feel warm, yet their body temp is the opposite. In other words, some may not know when they are cold or hot because they may not feel cold and hot as most of us do. Hypothermia can set in easily with this group. The appropriate clothing, especially in very cold areas, will protect them from extremely cold weather.

FOR LINDA AND MICHAEL

2011-01-02T19:45:00.000-05:00

Linda asked if I would be interested in doing a post or two for her blog, well I consider it an honor to do it. Linda went through a lot in her care of Michael she did it with love and never wanting anything in return. It is a damn shame that due to our goofy health system that she had to work way harder than anyone should, instead of the system providing the needed equipment for Michael and for that there really was no excuse. I was lucky when my dad came down with ALS we were able to get the needed equipment to make his life much easier, the same was true a few years back when my mom passed. I could not imagine not having the correct medical equipment I can only imagine how hard it was for Linda and Michael. If any of you ever have a chance to help someone with donations, support and most importantly prayer, please do it you might not think it is much but let me tell you from experience it will mean more than you know. Please when Linda sets up her foundation find it in your heart to support it you won't be sorry. Tragedy can strike in a blink of an eye, lives change and you never know when it could happen. Please, please support those in need.......... A wheel chair might not seem like a lot to you but to Michael it would have been his gateway to the world.

My Hero | Life of The Disabled

The Life of The Disabled

Car Seat Expiration Dates: Keep Your Baby Safe

Free Printable Valentines Day Cards

Winter Clothing

FOR LINDA AND MICHAEL