Caring Wife Seeks Grant For Accessible Bathroom For Disabled Husband
by Anonymous
My husband worked in retail lumber sales for more than 12 years, at the expense of his physical health. He had several back injuries due to heavy lifting, including two that required extended time off work. He also donated a kidney to his mother to extend her life. Deciding that he needed to do something to protect himself from debilitating injury, he changed fields and began a career assisting adults with developmental disabilities. He loved this job and being able to help others. And then he had a seizure at age 46. He was diagnosed with migraine seizure disorder and pseudotumor cerebri after extensive testing and medication trials. His medications finally began controlling his seizures, but at the expense of his awareness and focusing abilities. The meds do decrease the seizure activity to two or three per month; however, he is unable to work at any job or drive. He applied for Social Security Disability and lost three appeals when his claim was denied. We gave up. Another effect of the meds is decreased physical stamina. He walks laps around the inside of the house every day and uses a portable pedal exerciser so he is trying to help himself. He is now at the point where he needs help to shower due to the small size of our bathroom and the lack of accessible shower. He cannot safely step into the bathtub without assistance. There is no room for a shower chair in our tiny bathroom. As a one family income household with extensive medical expenses, there is no additional money to make needed renovations to our home. We estimate that enlarging the bathroom and adding an adaptive shower staff will cost approximately $12,800. If we could get help with even half of this amount, my husband could safely shower independently and regain at least some of his personal dignity. Can you help?
      Go to the Accessible.org Home page. 
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