54 Year Old Disabled Woman Seeks Government Grant For Accessible Shower

by Kim McCoy
(Statesville, NC, USA)

My name is Kim McCoy. I was born with an extrophy of the bladder and a deformed pelvic girdle.

Before age five, I had 13 major surgeries. My urinary tract was placed in my rectum and I was given a colostomy.

Not only did the doctors tell my parents that I would never walk but that I would probably not live past age 10.

My legs were horizontal at birth and had to be broken so they could be pulled together. Not only did I walk at age four but also I have survived now to age 54.

I graduated high school at age 18 and attended two years of college. I worked mostly as a waitress until 2000.

I am currently receiving Social Security Disability. I work part-time answering the phone for a therapist. She forwards all of her calls to a cell phone and I don't have to leave home to do the job. I live on $1237 per month.

I have had a total of 31 major surgeries over the past 54 years. I have spent my entire life sick with urinary tract infections and kidney stones.

I now suffer from osteoarthritis, acute kidney failure, fibromyalgia and Type 2 diabetes. I suffer from acute pain from my waist to my knees because of the deformity of my pelvic girdle.

I also suffer from the pain of arthritis and fibromyalgia. I cannot take any anti-inflammatory medicines because of my kidney failure so I do suffer a great deal.

Recently I have been having problems getting my leg over the tub to get into the tub to take a shower. I got a shower chair but I can't swing my legs over the tub.

The doctors say exercise is the only way for me not to end up in a wheelchair. I would go to the YMCA and get in the pool but I can't get in a public pool because of bacteria.

What I would like to have grant money for is a walk-in shower and one of those resistance pools for exercise.

If I could get help with these things, I would be able to remain in my home. I could remain independent a while longer and not end up in the nursing home at the government's expense.

I didn't plan for my life to end up this way. I have certainly given it my best, but now I need help and I am not ashamed to ask for it.