Life Changing Standing Frame for Paraplegic Adventurer

Introduction:

Hello everyone,

I hope this message finds you well. My name is Renee, and I'm reaching out to you today on behalf of my brother, Andreas. He needs your support in his journey towards rehabilitation. In his life my brother has faced significant challenges due to paraplegia. These have profoundly impacted his mobility and independence. Despite these obstacles, he has always remained determined to have control over his life, his free spirit and his mobility.

His Story:

As some of you might know, life took an unexpected turn for my brother in April 1995 when he fell from a tree and broke his back. This tragic accident resulted in paralysis from the waist down, altering the course of his life forever. However, instead of succumbing to despair, he discovered a newfound resilience and zest for life.

With an adventurous spirit, my brother has explored the world through global travel. From backpacking around the world to riding his handcycle around Australia for charity, he's cherished every moment of discovery and adventure and always yearns for more.

The Need:

Even now, after nearly 30 years, every day, my brother pushes himself to make progress in his rehabilitation journey. He recently, after a long shoulder operation recovery and isolation due to Covid, lost over 27kg (60lbs) and embarked of a health and fitness journey that has revitalised his life goals and reversed many seemingly embedded negative health conditions. These included, pre-diabetes, sleep apnea, joint pain, snoring, rising blood pressure and a persistant high resting heart rate. All now either gone or significantly improved. He has accumulated gym equipment, he rides his 15 year old handcycle regularly and does everything he can to keep his eye on the goal... To walk again!

Yet, there are essential tools missing that could significantly enhance his recovery: a standing frame, a replacement handcycle and later an exoskeleton would profoundly impact his long term life expectancy and his quality of life.

Andreas is 57, and we recently lost our mother to Diabetes and related illnesses. Significantly, he has reversed his pre-diabetes through diet and exercise and looks forward to a long life where he hopes to be a vibrant grandfather to some wished for future grandchildren. He has even started talking about another handcycle journey around Australia when he turns 60 and starting an online e-commerce business.

It's hard to keep him down but unfortunately, there's a lack of government funding and support for assistive technology like standing frames and exoskeletons and Andreas has met much resistance from the support arena for this life expanding need. This combined with his current limited regular income makes it seem an impossible task without asking for help. So here we are... asking for help.

Many individuals, including my brother, are left without access to these crucial tools due to these financial constraints and limited resources. Despite hope for the future, he currently survives on a disability pension (government support) and generous family members for travel, hobbies and assistive equipment. He would ideally like to ease their burden by seeking the help of others.

In addition to rebuilding strength and mobility, and despite his significant improvements recently, my brother is also battling against bone density loss, a common issue among individuals with paraplegia. This makes the need for specialised standing and exercise rehabilitation programs even more crucial.

His ultimate goal is to regain the ability to walk independently, and an exoskeleton and AI holds the promise of making that dream a reality. With your help, my brother can access the equipment and support needed to achieve this milestone.

According to peer reviewed studies, the best way to recover lost bone density is through weight bearing and the only way for Andreas to do this is with a standing frame.

He could begin a 1-5 year rehabilitation program using a standing frame and keeping fit with his handcycle and transitioning later to the exoskeleton for full ambulant mobility.

The Impact of Paraplegia:

Paraplegia is a life-altering condition that affects millions of individuals worldwide. It not only impacts physical mobility but can also bring about significant emotional and psychological challenges. Adjusting to life with paraplegia requires immense strength, resilience, and support.

For many, the journey towards rehabilitation is long and arduous. It involves numerous medical appointments, physical therapy sessions, and the use of specialised equipment. This has been true for my brother however, the financial burden associated with these necessities can be overwhelming, especially when faced with limited resources and inadequate support systems.

Government Funding and Support:

While some countries provide financial assistance and support programs for individuals with disabilities, many fall through the cracks. Inadequate government funding often leaves individuals with paraplegia struggling to access essential services and equipment. This lack of support not only hinders their rehabilitation but also perpetuates inequality and exclusion within society.

It's crucial to advocate for increased government funding and support for individuals with disabilities. Access to assistive technology, rehabilitation programs, and comprehensive healthcare services should be considered basic human rights, not privileges reserved for the few.

How You Can Help:

Your contribution, no matter how large or small, can make a world of difference in my brother's life. By donating to this fundraiser, you'll be directly supporting his journey towards independence and mobility. Your generosity will provide him with access to vital equipment and rehabilitation programs that will help him stand tall again.

Additionally, sharing this fundraiser with your network can help spread awareness about my brother's story and amplify our impact. Together, we can make a real difference in the lives of individuals with paraplegia and advocate for greater support and inclusivity within our communities.

Our first target is the standing frame. These cost around $25,000 in Australia but my brother has found that he can purchase the same one in the USA for around $14,000 plus shipping.

Our second target is a replacement handcycle for his 15 year old machine. He was quoted $45,000 for a replacement in Australia but found he could source the same handcycle in the USA for around $30,000.

Lastly and pure fantasy at this point is the exoskeleton coming in at around USD150,000. We'll cross that bridge when we come to it.

Now, these numbers do seem massive (and somewhat insane) but anything to do with disability seems to add an extra 0 to the price. His most recent manual wheelchair cost $16,000!

Conclusion:

I believe that together, we can make a profound difference in my brother's life. Your kindness, generosity, and support will empower him to overcome the challenges he faces and reclaim his independence. Thank you for standing by my brother in this journey towards rehabilitation. We hope that one day he can truely stand by you.

With gratitude,

Renee Dagelet