Brain Injured Disabled Single Mom Seeks Grant Money For Better Quality Of Life
by Kacy Christopher
My first disability happened during what was supposed to be a simple one-hour foot surgery, after which I would just go back home. My husband of eight years went with me to the hospital. I told the nurse that I was sick to my stomach, and very nauseated. I was given a white pill that put me to sleep before going into the operating room. Under anesthesia I got sick and inhaled stomach contents into my lungs, which caused respiratory and cardiac arrest. I flat-lined, was intubated and after six minutes of flat-lining, they got a pulse, and my heartbeat came back. I was put on life support and went into a coma for several days. With no follow up, I was released from this hospital to an empty home. I had suffered a severe brain injury, and a seizure disorder that went undiagnosed for close to a year. My world was so completely different. As soon as I was taken off life support, my husband came and stated, "I am not going to live at the house anymore and I am taking our son. I will be in touch. I can't afford to care for sick people." The court allowed him temporary custody order of my son while I was in a coma fighting for my life. He never mentioned my whereabouts to the court. My husband instead used the court stating that I had kicked my son for I had several foot surgeries from birth deformities that were never taken care of. I could not even walk without pain in my feet. I went through a divorce in which I was only physically present. Before this day I was a fully functioning mom of one. I had a home business, and I thought I had a loving and caring husband. This incident took several years to heal from, or it's as good as it gets. I am just grateful I am not having several seizures, and I was able to relearn many things we all take for granted. I lost my home and my family, and I even ended up homeless. I basically wandered around lost for five years. I got involved with someone and had a long-term relationship. I had a daughter in 2004 that I have raised on my own since her birth. In 2008 I had a bad fall and on the x-ray report it stated two vertebrae fractures due to severe osteoporosis. Nothing was done for the osteoporosis until five more fractures, resulting in severe back deformities that limit my walking and basically any type of movement. It causes severe pain and I have been told I am unable to even consider surgery due to bones being too soft. My daughter was also born with a rare birth defect called amniotic band syndrome. She had many surgeries and had some mild developmental delays. She is a bright delightful and very active and social child. After I am well, I will have a better quality of life, which means getting basic needs met, having a safe and reliable used vehicle, and being out of debt through a grant. I am offering free rent and utilities to the right person who would be able to help out with household chores, do errands and be socially interactive with my daughter and myself, and have a clean record. You can leave a comment about this. I would like to start an advocacy program so that anyone who goes through a trauma that leaves them ill will not fall through the cracks of our "system" and have to lose all they worked for, and be left alone to fend for themselves. Thank you for any grants or support you can point us to or for any assistance you can provide. Kacy Christopher.
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