Leo's Service Dog for Independence

This is very odd and difficult for me to ask for any help.  If any of you knows me, you will agree I’ve been pretty much an independent, hard charging, self-motivated person. This go fund me account has been established since my catastrophic injury to get through the hard times of the beginning stages of recovery.   

I spent 33 years in aviation, living the dream as a Pilot/Mechanic.  Seventeen of those years were as a full time Pilot/Mechanic.  A good friend and one of my many mentors said he would help me get there, but I had a long row to hoe.  Well, he wasn't kidding.  I started off as a Helicopter mechanic in the Army, worked for Petroleum Helicopters for several years in Lafayette, Louisiana, conducting major airframe overhaul.  I started working on all my pilot ratings in 1996 and traveled around trying to build time.  I eventually got hired on with JBI helicopters in New Hampshire.  After 12 ½ years I decided that I needed a new challenge so I hired on with Winco helicopters.  Power-line construction become very slow, so I ended up hiring on with Rotor-Blade based out of South Carolina. Their claim to fame was the aerial saw that was used to side trim trees along side power line right-ways.  They had developed a great tool with endless job security; trees never stop growing. 

In my job, I was living the dream:  on the road, myself and one other guy, maintaining a helicopter and completing trimmimg jobs.  I was into my third year with Rotor-Blade, had flown almost 900 hrs that year and, at the time of my accident, was working around Columbus, Ohio.  It was my second day into a job along a railroad, it consisted of 16 miles of trimming one side and was the start of a project to create a bicycle/walking trail.  July 29, 2014, mid afternoon, all I remember is leaving the right of way heading for fuel and hearing the engine shut down as I was climbing up through the tree line.  I woke up three days later after two surgeries and the first thing I realized was I had no feeling below my neck and little movement in my arms.  I was pretty devastated and thought that I didn't really want to live that way.  I was left unable to take care of myself and basically feeling like a burden to society.  My injury was a broken neck (C6-C7) and broken middle of my back, leaving my spinal cord crushed, severely compromised.  

It is now 18 months post injury, I have a complete injury below my mid-chest and no fine motor skills with my fingers.  Currently classified as a quadriplegic, I am unable to transfer from my wheelchair to bed, sit up,  dress myself, along with a list as you can imagine of other things in life I'll never be able to do again.

Here's my list of priorities;

·  Stem cell trail:  I've applied to several in the U.S. but haven’t gotten accepted to any yet.  This is my last and only option left for any possible help to regain what I’ve lost in terms of function and sensation.  FDA approved trials are few and there is a long wait list with hundreds, if not thousands, of applicants.  There are some that are patient funded, but because these programs will not provide any information on risks associated with and possible insight into future pros and cons from the stem cell treatment, they are too risky.  In any case, I could come out of the treatment in worse shape than I was before the treatment.  There are some overseas stem cell projects going on but funding is cost-prohibitive.  

· A service dog. These dogs are truly amazing. They are able to open and close doors, pick up things that I drop, (which is a big problem as I’m constantly dropping stuff) and turn lights on and off.  They cost between $10,000-$20,000 and could take 6 months to 2 years wait time. I have applied for one and am waiting to hear.
       http://www.azpowerpaws.org/index.php/assistance-dogs/

·  A vehicle to help me regain my indepenence.  The cost of high tech equipment alone that I require to be able to drive costs around $90,000 and has limited life of 10 years or 120,000 miles.  This is in addition to the cost of a vehicle which would be around $45,000.  It would be so great to be able to drive again to feel more human and be on my own.  The estimated figures, including all costs, modification and insurance and to get me into a vehicle are around $180,000.  

·  Modifications to the outside area around the house, in order to gain full access to the pond and basement I’ll need some dirt work and rock retention walls redone, ramps installed to access pond and asphalt sidewalks. The estimate for this is $22,000.  

·  Exercise equipment that will allow me to work the muscles of my upper body to keep them healthy and that part of me strong.  The machines that are critical to this cost $8000.  
             http://www.rehabmart.com/product/rickshaw-aka-powerfit-rehab-exerciser-for- wheelchairs-18361.html 
             http://www.rocksolidfitness.com/products/255-lb.-Cast-Iron-Olympic-Plate-Set.html
             https://www.elivatefitness.com/scifit-pro2-upper-body  

·  Action tract standing wheel chair.  This chair is awesome.  It would allow me access to areas that I could’t otherwise, outdoor areas such as the woods or rough terrain that my regular wheelchair cannot go into.  This costs $16,000.       http://actiontrackchair.com/Default.aspx#.VqV5pq9HarV

       These items listed are the main priorities that are most important at this time.  I’m not able to work at this time and to be quite honest I have no clue what to do now and going forward.  

        With all that being said, thank you very much for taking the time to read my story.  If you can’t or don’t want to help me out on this go fund me site, I truly understand.  If you do, I give you my sincere and deep thanks.   

 

LEO