64 Year Old Disabled Woman Seeks Fish And Wildlife Grant Equivalent
by Joyce Tolbert
As a youngster, on up to now, I have loved to be outside, playing sports, gardening, and just enjoying nature. Over the years, I've been in several car accidents, was thrown over the head of a 24-hands-high horse, and suffered several injuries. In March 1980, I had to go on disability retirement from my federal government job. My health has just gotten worse since then. My cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine areas are all, now, in a jumbled mess. I have degenerative joint disease up and down my spine; and, probably, am looking at neck surgery in the not-too-distant future. In 1987, I ruptured a tendon in my left ankle and had to get a brace on that leg from the knee down. Just a few months later, I got a matching brace on the right leg. At least it's a matching set. Most of the time, I use a power chair to get around in. I will walk inside my house some, just to keep the muscles toned, while I can. But I can walk entirely through my house only about once a day. My computer is sitting in front of a window that looks out into my backyard. The only thing I have back there is a shed and a little oak tree, that was planted just last year, as I bought this house in August, 2008. I have a lift on the back of my car, but really only use it for going to doctors and occasionally the grocery store and pharmacy. I really miss being able to go outside to nature trails or wherever wildlife is. I have an occasional raccoon or coyote come through here. What I would really like to get, and they used to be available, is a grant for someone to make my backyard into a wildlife habitat. I would like to have some concrete paths too, where I could have access to it in my chair, in case something needed taken care of in there. I have a privacy fence around my backyard, but it could be adapted for the wildlife to get in there, and birds can always get in. I could look out my bedroom windows at the wildlife any time I wanted, and it would be almost like being out there, like I always used to enjoy. I have bipolar disease, too, and I would have that peaceful calming effect, any time I wanted to look out at it. If I could have this in back, I would also be able to see out if I'm ever bedridden again. I also can't be outside very much because of having so many allergies. I do go out to water my flowerbeds and the house foundation, but come back in as soon as possible. Three weeks ago, I had to have my dog euthanized. This is my farewell picture with her. I don't have a pic of my yard. There you have it - my dream. Fish and Wildlife Commission used to have these grants. Due to the problems with my neck, I can't be on my computer as much as I would like, either. That's why I'm asking for your help. Thank you.
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