Wistaria's Spinal Injury & Wheelchair Support Fund

Wistaria has a spinal injury dating back to 2020. Over the past year their pain has significantly increased, while both their ability and mobility have decreased.

They are adapting to rapidly changing ability and needs. They now need assistance with many ADLs (activities of daily living) including dressing, bathing, grocery shopping, food preparation, housework and dog care. They also need to be driven to most in-person appointments.

They have been working with their Nurse Practitioner, a physiotherapist, a chiropractor, a RMT (massage therapist), a neurologist, and a chronic pain treatment program (where they’ve accessed trigger point injections, epidurals, steroid injections, and nerve ablation treatments). They have also been seen by a neurosurgeon and are on a waitlist for spinal surgery (wait time is not yet known but they have already been on the list for over a year). They have been using a cane to help them walk for many months now.

Recently their pain has escalated to a level where they are no longer able to lay down flat to sleep in a bed or sit in a regular chair. The only position that they are able to sit or rest comfortably is in a recliner chair.

Unfortunately, the various tools and practitioners that they have accessed to manage their condition are no longer sufficient and they now need an electric tilt wheelchair to support their mobility and postural needs.

Wistaria is a nurse who has worked in addictions and substance use treatment for 10+ years. In early 2023 they received a Special Recognition Award for Excellence in Nursing Clinical Practice for their work as a clinical nurse leader. They are immensely compassionate, capable, dedicated and collaborative.

However, they have been off work due to an unrelated injury since March 2023. Since they are off work for a reason that is unrelated to their back injury, expenses for services or equipment related to their back injury are not covered.

Furthermore, because they are still able to walk short distances their extended benefits will not cover the cost of a wheelchair.

There are a number of reasons they need an electric tilt wheelchair:

- they can only walk short distances (about a block)

- they cannot lay down flat or on their side and thus are unable to rest or sleep in a bed (they have been sleeping in a recliner for 2+ months now)

- they cannot self propel a manual wheelchair

- they cannot sit upright in a straight-backed chair or wheelchair as doing so causes excruciating pain

- adjustable reclined seating is the only option that provides weight distribution that does not compress their spine and impact their injury further

Wistaria is awaiting an occupational therapy assessment, so the exact equipment that they need is not yet known. Initial occupational health services (to assess for the right equipment) will cost about $1200-1500. Tilt power chairs start at around $6-8K. As waiting times can be significant for a chair to be delivered, we will need to rent a chair for the interim for between $400-700/month.

We have looked into the possibility of getting a second-hand chair, but the cost for a well-maintained used chair is still around $4K+ and the configuration for a second-hand chair will likely need to be changed to fit Wistaria’s needs (extra components bought, etc). If that’s an option that an OT can help them with, we’re open to it.

We will also either need to retrofit at least one of our vehicles to allow for wheelchair transportation or trade one of our current vehicles for one that can transport a wheelchair. The cost of which we expect to be substantial.

Wistaria is currently sleeping in a recliner in our living room, which ultimately does not provide good rest. Thus, we also need to explore the option of renting or purchasing an adjustable bed depending on how long before they will be able to have surgery and their anticipated recovery needs. The cost of adjustable beds can range widely, with the cost to purchase a bed be anywhere between $3-8K or a rental costing between $350-700/month.

The costs that for both Wistaria's current care needs and during their recovery post-surgery are monumental. In addition to the costs outlined above, Wistaria will continue to access practitioner services over and above what is covered by their extended benefits, now and post-surgery. They will need to remain off work for the interim and for a minimum of 6-8 weeks following their surgery.

As we are still determining concrete costs, our fundraising goal is currently $12,000.

Wistaria has the direct support of their chosen family, Theo & Tristin. The 3 of us are a great team - we work together, share the load and negotiate life's ups and downs, including when we have complex and at times competing needs. However, collectively we have limited financial means at our disposal.

Regardless, we are exploring any routes necessary to ensure that they have the equipment to meet their needs and will take on additional debt if needed.

Wistaria & Theo have been planning a trip to Mexico in mid-January that they saved diligently for, and have already paid for, that is non-refundable. It would be devastating for both of them to miss the trip and lose the money they have put towards it. Our goal is to get Wistaria's basic equipment in place in time for their trip.

Wistaria is immensely kind, compassionate and generous. They are incredibly collaborative, remarkably patient and relentless in their advocacy both in their work and outside of it. They are one of the first people to offer support to anyone they come across and always willing to interrogate their own biases.

Wistaria is a music lover, photographer, and writer, and they find immense joy and renewal through travelling and spending time outdoors. Our hope is that a wheelchair will not only provide greater mobility but restore more of Wistaria's freedom to enjoy the things they love.

We are reaching out in hopes that their communities, family and friends will rally around them at this time. Your support is integral for us to be able to purchase the equipment and to access the services they need.