Accident Disabled Former Landscaper Seeks Spinal Cord Injury Grant Benefits

by Sean
(West Caldwell, NJ, USA)

I am a single, accident-disabled, 49-year-old male with no children. I'm looking for grants or benefits for spinal cord injured people.

My family consists of six brothers and sisters. I'm engaged to an Art teacher.

I owned and operated a landscaping business for over 25 years.

On the evening of July 7, 2011 I had an accident. I was returning to bed in the dark, after using the facilities.

I caught my foot on the corner of the bed frame and flipped over. I landed on my neck and head, suffering an injury from C3-C6.

After an emergency laminectomy, I was in ICU at Morristown Memorial Hospital until September.

I am now a tetraplegic with limited arm and hand use, and confined to a wheelchair.

I was released from Morristown to Kessler Institute in West Orange, where I am currently undergoing rehabilitation. I will be released from here by late November.

I have NJ Medicaid assistance.

I cannot work.

My fiancée is trying to buy a house, as the rented one we lived in would not "work" for a wheelchair confined person.

The necessary home conversions are going to be a financial strain that I cannot even fathom right now.

My current vehicle is a truck that I cannot access and that my fiancée is using for work.

She is struggling to cover both my bills and hers.

I have applied for SSI and SSDI. I have not heard yet as to whether I will qualify.

My family and friends are putting together a benefit to hopefully raise money for help with my expenses.

I am looking for grants that are available for persons disabled with spinal cord injuries.

I do not have a business idea as of yet. I have been a landscaper since I was 16. I have no other training.

I only know that my career as a landscaper is over.