Help Anna get a wheelchair accessible car

Hi, my name is Alex and this is my mother in law Anna’s story.

Anna has been in my life for just over ten years, and to say she is a one of a kind is an understatement. For those who know Anna, you know just how special she is. For those who haven’t met her, Anna is the most loving, caring and generous person you could ever have the good fortune to meet. Anna’s life revolved around her family and in particular her six grandchildren.

In March of 2022 tragedy struck, Anna went to the local hospital for mild neck and chest pain and within 72 hours she was in intensive care fighting for her life. Anna had suffered a catastrophic spinal bleed, the extent of which her treating doctors had never seen their entire career. Anna’s life was in the balance, as the bleed moved throughout her spine it put incredible pressure on the spinal nerves destroying them one by one. As the bleed progressed and the nerves were killed, her body started to shut down.

Anna was in and out of intensive care, unable to walk or move and requiring around the clock care. We were faced with the unthinkable, asked whether we would like her to be resuscitated or not, potentially left in a vegetative state unable to breath or talk on her own. Luckily, she never gave up and has fought her way back from the brink. 

Anna has improved slowly over the past eleven months whilst overcoming numerous challenges and setbacks including a severe pressure wound requiring plastic surgery, multiple surgeries on her spine, sepsis, countless MRI’s and scans.

Anna has spent the last few months at a rehabilitation facility and has regained some movement in her arms and hands. Rehabilitation has helped her learn how best to use the limited range she now has. Unfortunately, she will never be able to walk again and is paralysed from the chest down. She will be coming home a paraplegic.

Despite what has occurred, the setbacks, the surgeries and the incredibly difficult rehabilitation, Anna has never complained or asked “why me?”. She has remained positive and with love and support from family and friends, she is ready to come home.

As she nears the end of her almost 12 months in hospital, the time has come to prepare Anna’s home for her new life. Modifications to the home have been completed, including altering the bathroom and other areas to be wheelchair friendly, the purchasing of hospital grade beds/hoists/lifts and the all-important wheelchair.

Unfortunately, these modifications haven’t been cheap and the family have exhausted all of their funds. I have setup this GoFundMe page to help raise money for a wheelchair friendly modified vehicle. Anna will need constant rehabilitation, medical appointments and check-ups. To attend these appointments and go on other outings (visiting grandkids) a vehicle is required. If people are in a position to donate to help Anna, no matter how small the amount, it would make the world of difference to the quality of her life.