Debbie & Junior need a"Little" help
Donation protected
Debbie & Junior need a ‘Little’ help to buy a wheelchair van!
Debbie’s story: Statistically, Deborah Jane Christensen is a sixty-four-year-old female. Physically, she is a fair-skinned, green-eyed, four-foot-tall, Achondroplasia dwarf, or ‘Little Person” as she prefers to be referred to. To me, she is my little sister and the most beautiful, determined, compassionate person I have ever known and an inspiration to everyone whose life she has touched.
All her life, Debbie has conquered obstacles and inconveniences many of us would never be able to overcome. Because her arms are so short, and her elbows really don’t bend, she has had difficulty with so many things ‘average-size’ people take for granted. Her feet dangle and become numb when sitting, necessitating sitting on the floor for meals. She has difficulty driving a car for long distances because of pressure on her spine. She has to keep her hair short because she can’t raise her arms to style it. She suffers from severe sleep apnea and must lie flat on her back with a CPAP machine to breathe when lying down. Scratching her back, crossing her arms or legs, putting on a bra, getting into bed or in/out of a bathtub, grocery shopping...all things that are difficult.
When she was young, she tried harder at everything she did because she wanted to be just like the other children. Special arrangements were made for her in the classrooms, as well as in physical education class. I took her to F.J. Reitz High School prior to her first day of upper school and showed her around. I didn’t know how she would be able to get from class to class, especially with stairs, in the allotted time, but she did it. For four years.
Everyone told her she would not be able to drive a car because she could not reach the pedals. But, she was determined. She bought a little red Ford Pinto and found someone that would attach extensions to the brake and gas pedals. She enrolled in Driver’s Education classes and earned her license. Now she could be independent! She was an energetic ‘little dynamo.’ She began working for a nursing facility after her high school graduation and loved her job. She really enjoyed working with elderly, handicapped, and disabled individuals.
A love story: In 2004, she met the love of her life, Junior Anderson, online. He is also a ‘Little Person’ and has similar physical issues. Presently, they live in Indianapolis in a small home I purchased for them. They both now receive disability compensation.
Increasingly, Debbie’s mobility has become limited, due to pain in her lower back; excruciating stiffness in her limbs; and numbness in her feet, making it difficult for her to walk or sit. An MRI has confirmed severe degenerative spinal cord compression. The damage is irreversible, but surgery must be performed soon to hopefully prevent permanent paralysis. She walks with a cane and uses a scooter when at all possible, although someone has to lift it in/out of the trunk of her car. Acute arthritis, as well as the spinal cord compression, renders her unable to work.
Debbie falls down frequently – her legs simply give out due to decreased circulation. It is their hope that she be able to have surgery that is necessary to alleviate, as much as is possible, the numbness in her limbs, and hopefully prevent total paralysis. It has been their dream to live their remaining years, together, with the assurance that they won’t have to be dependent upon their families for financial support.
Junior’s story: Here is where their story absolutely breaks my heart. Junior had to have surgery in August 2016 to replace a defective rod that had been placed in his spine in a previous surgery. Doctors assured him it was a relatively minor procedure and would not take long to repair. They were able to replace the rod; however, he is now nearly paralyzed. Doctors are mystified as to the reason. He has spent every day since that surgery - nearly two years - in an electric wheelchair, unable to sit or stand and unable to lift his arms or move his fingers. He has at least 3 pinched nerves in his lumbar as a result of the surgery and requires constant care.
The state provided temporary in-home care, but that expired in September. Junior’s niece and a nephew live nearby. His niece arrives every morning to change and bathe him. The nephew comes every evening to change him and carries him to bed. I have tried to imagine being in Junior’s position and how it must be so humiliating for him, especially as a man. Not to mention the pain. Always pain. Debbie tells me he cries every day and is so depressed. His greatest fear is that he will have to go to a nursing home for the rest of his life.
Their involvement with local and regional chapters of Little People of America was a major part of their busy social life. They participated in water aerobics at the Y three times a week and enjoyed going to Red Lobster and Cracker Barrel on special occasions. Now they receive food stamps and 30 frozen meals a month. Debbie can only go to the grocery when someone is able to stay with her partner.
It has taken a lot for them to admit they have nearly succumbed to disability. “I can’t” has never been a part of Debbie’s vocabulary. She thought she could do it all, including caring for her partner. She was always so proud to be independent in spite of her perceived handicap, dwarfism. She has lobbied tirelessly as an advocate on behalf of those who are physically-challenged, although she had never considered herself to be in that category. Aside from the pain, I’m certain this reality is the most difficult for her to accept.
How You Can Help: Debbie is now also practically house-bound by the circumstances because she will not leave Junior alone. He needs to have regular physical therapy and must be transported to the facility. He is unable to ride in any vehicle other than a van with a wheelchair lift. However, frequently the scheduled mobility transport fails to show up and he misses his therapy sessions.
Debbie has inquired through several channels to see if funding would be available to purchase a van, to no avail. I’m hopeful this Go Fund Me account will be the answer to our prayers. Any donation would be so graciously appreciated to help purchase an accessible van, so Debbie can drive Junior to his therapy and doctor’s appointments. A reliable used wheelchair-accessible van sells for approximately $25-30,000; a new vehicle costs $45-50,000. Or, if you have one you would like to donate, or know someone that has one they would be willing to donate, please contact us.
I pray for my baby sister and Junior every day. Please pray for them too and help in any way you can!
Bobbi (Debbie’s “Big” sister)
Debbie’s story: Statistically, Deborah Jane Christensen is a sixty-four-year-old female. Physically, she is a fair-skinned, green-eyed, four-foot-tall, Achondroplasia dwarf, or ‘Little Person” as she prefers to be referred to. To me, she is my little sister and the most beautiful, determined, compassionate person I have ever known and an inspiration to everyone whose life she has touched.
All her life, Debbie has conquered obstacles and inconveniences many of us would never be able to overcome. Because her arms are so short, and her elbows really don’t bend, she has had difficulty with so many things ‘average-size’ people take for granted. Her feet dangle and become numb when sitting, necessitating sitting on the floor for meals. She has difficulty driving a car for long distances because of pressure on her spine. She has to keep her hair short because she can’t raise her arms to style it. She suffers from severe sleep apnea and must lie flat on her back with a CPAP machine to breathe when lying down. Scratching her back, crossing her arms or legs, putting on a bra, getting into bed or in/out of a bathtub, grocery shopping...all things that are difficult.
When she was young, she tried harder at everything she did because she wanted to be just like the other children. Special arrangements were made for her in the classrooms, as well as in physical education class. I took her to F.J. Reitz High School prior to her first day of upper school and showed her around. I didn’t know how she would be able to get from class to class, especially with stairs, in the allotted time, but she did it. For four years.
Everyone told her she would not be able to drive a car because she could not reach the pedals. But, she was determined. She bought a little red Ford Pinto and found someone that would attach extensions to the brake and gas pedals. She enrolled in Driver’s Education classes and earned her license. Now she could be independent! She was an energetic ‘little dynamo.’ She began working for a nursing facility after her high school graduation and loved her job. She really enjoyed working with elderly, handicapped, and disabled individuals.
A love story: In 2004, she met the love of her life, Junior Anderson, online. He is also a ‘Little Person’ and has similar physical issues. Presently, they live in Indianapolis in a small home I purchased for them. They both now receive disability compensation.
Increasingly, Debbie’s mobility has become limited, due to pain in her lower back; excruciating stiffness in her limbs; and numbness in her feet, making it difficult for her to walk or sit. An MRI has confirmed severe degenerative spinal cord compression. The damage is irreversible, but surgery must be performed soon to hopefully prevent permanent paralysis. She walks with a cane and uses a scooter when at all possible, although someone has to lift it in/out of the trunk of her car. Acute arthritis, as well as the spinal cord compression, renders her unable to work.
Debbie falls down frequently – her legs simply give out due to decreased circulation. It is their hope that she be able to have surgery that is necessary to alleviate, as much as is possible, the numbness in her limbs, and hopefully prevent total paralysis. It has been their dream to live their remaining years, together, with the assurance that they won’t have to be dependent upon their families for financial support.
Junior’s story: Here is where their story absolutely breaks my heart. Junior had to have surgery in August 2016 to replace a defective rod that had been placed in his spine in a previous surgery. Doctors assured him it was a relatively minor procedure and would not take long to repair. They were able to replace the rod; however, he is now nearly paralyzed. Doctors are mystified as to the reason. He has spent every day since that surgery - nearly two years - in an electric wheelchair, unable to sit or stand and unable to lift his arms or move his fingers. He has at least 3 pinched nerves in his lumbar as a result of the surgery and requires constant care.
The state provided temporary in-home care, but that expired in September. Junior’s niece and a nephew live nearby. His niece arrives every morning to change and bathe him. The nephew comes every evening to change him and carries him to bed. I have tried to imagine being in Junior’s position and how it must be so humiliating for him, especially as a man. Not to mention the pain. Always pain. Debbie tells me he cries every day and is so depressed. His greatest fear is that he will have to go to a nursing home for the rest of his life.
Their involvement with local and regional chapters of Little People of America was a major part of their busy social life. They participated in water aerobics at the Y three times a week and enjoyed going to Red Lobster and Cracker Barrel on special occasions. Now they receive food stamps and 30 frozen meals a month. Debbie can only go to the grocery when someone is able to stay with her partner.
It has taken a lot for them to admit they have nearly succumbed to disability. “I can’t” has never been a part of Debbie’s vocabulary. She thought she could do it all, including caring for her partner. She was always so proud to be independent in spite of her perceived handicap, dwarfism. She has lobbied tirelessly as an advocate on behalf of those who are physically-challenged, although she had never considered herself to be in that category. Aside from the pain, I’m certain this reality is the most difficult for her to accept.
How You Can Help: Debbie is now also practically house-bound by the circumstances because she will not leave Junior alone. He needs to have regular physical therapy and must be transported to the facility. He is unable to ride in any vehicle other than a van with a wheelchair lift. However, frequently the scheduled mobility transport fails to show up and he misses his therapy sessions.
Debbie has inquired through several channels to see if funding would be available to purchase a van, to no avail. I’m hopeful this Go Fund Me account will be the answer to our prayers. Any donation would be so graciously appreciated to help purchase an accessible van, so Debbie can drive Junior to his therapy and doctor’s appointments. A reliable used wheelchair-accessible van sells for approximately $25-30,000; a new vehicle costs $45-50,000. Or, if you have one you would like to donate, or know someone that has one they would be willing to donate, please contact us.
I pray for my baby sister and Junior every day. Please pray for them too and help in any way you can!
Bobbi (Debbie’s “Big” sister)
Organizer and beneficiary
Bobbi Warren
Organizer
Evansville, IN
Debbie Christensen
Beneficiary