Maridee's Fight to Walk
Donation protected
August 1st of 2014 my life changed forever.
It started like any beautiful summer day in South Lake Tahoe; I was out on a boat with three close friends all afternoon, as the water grew rough the day drew to a close and we navigated the water back to Timber Cove Marina. I took a zodiac in from the boat, planning to meet my friends back at ski run marina where the boat was rented. As I walked down the long dock I pulled out my wallet, determined to tip the zodiac driver. The wind had picked up and as I pulled the ten dollar bill from my wallet two more twenties flew into the lake below. As a swimmer I didn't think twice as I glided through the air toward the water, toward the money that had so fatefully slipped through my fingers.
My neck snapped.
I woke up in the hospital unable to move anything below my level of injury- so essentially nothing -I thought my life was over, bound to a wheelchair never able to do any of the outdoor activities that brought joy to my life. I was categorized as an ASIA A C-4 quadriplegic, my injury was considered "complete" which ment my paralysis was permanent. I would never walk, move my arms, or be able to sit unassisted again.
After 6 months of determination, I pcannot only sit unsupported, but can apply light pressure through both ofmy feet! These are two of the largest feats of many! None of this would be remotely possible without the help of my mother Susie Inns and my amazing spinal care gym SCI-FIT.
SCI-FIT stands for spinal cord injury functional integrated therapy, they specialize in non traditional spinal cord injury therapy that my insurance just won't pay for.
The first two weeks of hospitalization itself cost about 500,000 USD. I am reaching out now to ask for help, my mom cannot continue to put herself in debt for my benefit. SCI-FIT costs me a total of 1400 a month, that means I need just 140 people to donate 10 dollars a month or 120 dollars a year so that I will be able to continue making such huge strides towards not only independence, but recovery.
It started like any beautiful summer day in South Lake Tahoe; I was out on a boat with three close friends all afternoon, as the water grew rough the day drew to a close and we navigated the water back to Timber Cove Marina. I took a zodiac in from the boat, planning to meet my friends back at ski run marina where the boat was rented. As I walked down the long dock I pulled out my wallet, determined to tip the zodiac driver. The wind had picked up and as I pulled the ten dollar bill from my wallet two more twenties flew into the lake below. As a swimmer I didn't think twice as I glided through the air toward the water, toward the money that had so fatefully slipped through my fingers.
My neck snapped.
I woke up in the hospital unable to move anything below my level of injury- so essentially nothing -I thought my life was over, bound to a wheelchair never able to do any of the outdoor activities that brought joy to my life. I was categorized as an ASIA A C-4 quadriplegic, my injury was considered "complete" which ment my paralysis was permanent. I would never walk, move my arms, or be able to sit unassisted again.
After 6 months of determination, I pcannot only sit unsupported, but can apply light pressure through both ofmy feet! These are two of the largest feats of many! None of this would be remotely possible without the help of my mother Susie Inns and my amazing spinal care gym SCI-FIT.
SCI-FIT stands for spinal cord injury functional integrated therapy, they specialize in non traditional spinal cord injury therapy that my insurance just won't pay for.
The first two weeks of hospitalization itself cost about 500,000 USD. I am reaching out now to ask for help, my mom cannot continue to put herself in debt for my benefit. SCI-FIT costs me a total of 1400 a month, that means I need just 140 people to donate 10 dollars a month or 120 dollars a year so that I will be able to continue making such huge strides towards not only independence, but recovery.
Organizer and beneficiary
Maridee Mcfarlane
Organizer
Placerville, CA
Taylor Kirkbride
Beneficiary