Help Heather Get a Wheelchair Van! $34,000 More Needed!

Hello! I wanted to thank every one of you for contributing to my GoFundMe this past year. It has been quite challenging for me at many stages. My health is currently stable. I have good days and some bad days. One of the biggest obstacles that I face right now as a person with quadriplegia is transportation. The town of Hanson does not have a public transportation system that will cater to disabled persons. And the MBTA’s The Ride does not operate in this area. Along with not being able to move on my own, I am currently without any means of transportation. My health insurance will provide rides to in-network doctor appointments, but without an everyday vehicle, I am stripped of trying to get back to a “normal” life.

Remember when you were 16 years old and got your driver's license? It meant freedom! Although I won’t be able to drive the vehicle myself, having a wheelchair-accessible van will allow me to get some freedom back instead of being stuck in the house all day! To regain the ability to go shopping, or to a park, or visit a friend would mean the world to me. Therefore, I am reaching out again to ask for help, which is very hard for me to do. I know that you have been so generous in the past, but if you can donate any more, it would help me so much! I will also be reaching out to foundations to see if I can get a grant to help, but they will not cover all of the costs. Modified vans are very expensive so it is going to take a lot of help. Looking online, even used modified vans are upwards of $30-$40,000. Any chance you have a rich uncle who would like to help? Haha! Also, if you are able to share this link on your social media page or email it to friends, I would appreciate it! The more people who see this post, the better chance I have at making this wish a reality! Thank you so much!

*I am trying to raise about $34,000, therefore I have increased my GoFundMe goal amount to $60,000. If I can make it to $60,000, I have a great chance of obtaining a van! All of the previously donated funds have been used to get me to where I am today and helped tremendously to acclimate me to this new life.

Historical Info:

Please see below for all of the updates.

Hello, my name is Elke and I am helping to fundraise for Heather Edison.

On Jan 3, 2023, Heather Edison had a serious accident in her home. She wasn't feeling well and was about to go to urgent care, but stopped to feed her cats before she left home. She lost consciousness in her kitchen and fell. When she awoke, she had numbness and could not move her arms or legs. Her mom found her and called 911. The EMTs transported her to South Shore Hospital where they diagnosed a cervical fracture (C3 & C4) and spinal cord compression.

Heather was transferred to ICU at Beth Israel in Boston where she had surgery to assess the spinal cord and to set the bones. Her doctors at Beth Israel also explained that she had a stroke, though they are not sure if the stroke caused the initial fall in her kitchen. Her doctors put her neck in a brace, started a feeding tube, placed a tube in her trachea, and used a ventilator to help her breathe. The goal was to stabilize her and then move her to a rehabilitation center in hopes of regaining lost functions.

Heather had another surgery to fuse her spine in early February. This allowed greater support for her neck and spine and she doesn't have to wear the neck brace anymore.

As of Feb 8, 2023, it has been 5 weeks since the accident. Heather has been moved from the ICU at Beth Israel to Spaulding Hospital for Continuing Medical Care Cambridge. The road to recovery will be a long one for her. It is not clear what function, if any, of her arms, trunk, and legs she will recover, but time will tell. Although a fast learner with a positive outlook on life, it will take Heather some time and effort to learn how to function and cope with her new reality and disability. While focusing on optimizing independence and quality of life, Heather will require full-time caregiver assistance moving forward.

Heather is alert and can communicate by mouthing words and she also has a letter board if needed. Her mom, Andy, has gotten pretty good at reading lips! They are trying to wean her off of the ventilator but she's had some inflammation in her lungs that they are treating.

I have known Heather since we were co-valedictorians together at our graduation from MRM High School in Dorchester, MA. We remained close friends and upon graduating from college, Heather decided to move to Los Angeles to begin her career. I ended up moving out to Los Angeles to live with Heather in the late 90s. After working for Public Relations agencies, Heather decided to go back to Boston for her Master's degree in Occupational Therapy, while I stayed in Los Angeles. Heather received her Master's in Occupational Therapy from Tuft's University in 2006 and has been working in Weymouth Public schools in Massachusetts. She has been instrumental in helping children with fine motor skills, writing, communication, sensory processing, self-regulation, and self-care. Heather is also a lover of cats, especially her own, Abby & Delilah, and has posted many photos of them on Instagram, showcasing their shenanigans at home!

Here's a photo of us together from our 20th HS Reunion (I won't tell you what year this is from! haha!)

Heather and her mom have asked for donations to help with ongoing medical costs and subsequent costs to acclimate her to a new way of living. I have designated her mom as the beneficiary, as she is acting for Heather in all matters at this time.

We are so grateful for any donation that you may be able to give! Thank you!