Please help dear friends in need

Hi! I'm Carla and am writing to all who know Sharon and Robert Nicholson as dear friends or past work colleagues, and also to any others who understand the challenges of caregiving for a loved one who is now bedbound and no longer able to experience many of the simple joys of life.

Robert has lived with Type 1 Diabetes for most of his life. He has also been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. Robert has been bedbound since the summer of 2021 and has endured many hospitalizations including the amputation of his right leg below the knee to save his life. He is considered “full assist” - unable to sit up or roll over on his own, or even transfer from a bed to a wheelchair. He requires assistance with all tasks of daily living. Sharon, his loving wife and devoted caregiver, provides all his care, while working part-time from home. The only way Robert can get out of bed is with the use of a piece of equipment called a Hoyer Lift.

Robert recently received a power wheelchair that should make it possible for him to get out of the house, travel to much-needed doctor’s appointments, and possibly enjoy an hour or so in the sunshine. However, Sharon is unable to move Robert from his hospital bed to the wheelchair because the manual Hoyer Lift they currently use takes two people to operate. Consequently, Robert can only be assisted out of bed when there are others available. Sharon must always depend on the help of someone, such as a visiting therapist, to move Robert to his wheelchair.

Robert and Sharon desperately need an electric Hoyer Lift with a power remote. With this equipment, Sharon could move Robert from the bed to the wheelchair by herself, without having to rely on the availability of others. This equipment can also collapse to make it portable and so beneficial if for any reason, Robert would need to be evacuated or moved in an urgent situation.

The cost of the needed equipment if purchased locally is $3100 – an expense which Sharon and Robert cannot absorb. A local purchase would also enable local maintenance service if needed.

Thank you all for your generosity with any contribution you can provide. As you can see, the purchase of this needed equipment would positively improve the quality of the lives of these two wonderful individuals, Sharon and Robert! And their story is truly one of sacrifice, devotion, and true love.