Wheelchair Van Grant For Accident Disabled Quadriplegic Young Man
by Nicholas Dobbs
Quadriplegic at 20
Nick is an outstanding young man and the bravest person I have ever known. As his teacher, coach, friend and advocate, I am relating his story both to get him help and to raise quadriplegia awareness, Let me tell you about Nick, how he became a complete quadriplegic and how he suddenly had new needs he never imagined before. Nicholas Dobbs is fun, caring, outgoing, adventurous, strong and focused. These adjectives are but a few to describe this vibrant young man in a small community. Let me help to paint a picture of his life and how on one fateful August day, that life was irreversibly changed. This image is Nick's reality; it will reveal why he needs any help you have available. Nick is the middle son of Julie and the late David Dobbs of the small, rural community of Melrose, Wisconsin (population 495). In 1997, as a young boy of five, Nick saw his father fight a battle with pancreatic cancer. Throughout David's life, he encouraged others to fight for their country as a National Guard recruiter. Fighting was second nature. Ultimately, David lost own his battle in a few short months. Although Nick's dad was a part of his life for only a short time, his influence has permanently -- and passionately -- guided Nick. Now, fourteen years later, Nick is the one fighting. Nick's leadership talents became apparent as early as junior high school. Leading through example as a quiet leader, he proved to be one of the best and most effective role models. Nick would willingly assist others, showing an unselfish and compassionate demeanor. I witnessed this over and over in the years I have known him. As an 8th grade, junior high student, Nick participated in a People to People student ambassador program. Nick was one of 23 students from the area who spent three weeks in Australia as a student ambassador. A multitalented high school student, he balanced many interests. As a musician with notable percussion skills, he was an influential and enthusiastic member of the pep band. He displayed enjoyment, heightened adrenaline and enthusiasm as he performed. Nick was nominated to participate in the Dairyland Conference Honors Band. As an athlete, he earned honors in wrestling, football, track and cross-country. Wrestling is a family passion, one that Nick was extraordinarily successful and proud of. Nick wrestled all four years of high school. His senior year he wrestled at the 171-lb weight class, and qualified for state individual wrestling tournament. Nick was elected team captain of the wrestling team. He received the Academic All-Conference award for his last three years of high school. I proudly had the opportunity to work with Nick on our high school football field as his line coach. I was and remain impressed with his dedication, empathy for others and strong leadership presence. Issues of TEAM were extremely important to Nick. The game and the sport were tools Nick used to elevate those around him. Nick Dobbs' greatest influence continues on our TEAM. The game will never be more important than the quality, the integrity or the character of the athletes. I've come to realize that through this sport, young boys grow into impressive citizens that inspire others. Nicholas Dobbs is the most impressive and inspiring of citizens. Nicholas Dobbs' most recent employer was the Ashley Furniture Company in Arcadia, Wisconsin. He worked in the shipping department. He remained a focus student as well. Nick attended one year at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, in Florida. He was studying Aeronautical Engineering, and was enrolled in the ROTC program. At Embry Riddle, Nick was on their wrestling team. His interest and understanding of math brought him to enroll at the University of Wisconsin -- Platteville in 2011. Nick was accepted in the Introduction to Education Class to become a teacher. This career choice is very logical and a great fit. Through consistent compassionate example, Nick has been a teacher all his life. He was planning on finishing his education degree through UW -- La Crosse. Nick was defining his interest and focus and they were ultimately bringing him closer to home. Nick is not married. He is fortunate to have a wonderful girlfriend. Both of them being so young could be seen as a disadvantage, but it's actually an advantage. Their youthful strength will help them deal with the mountainous commitment of Quadriplegia. Nicholas's Aunt has given him the use of her basement. It is ground level and through generous help was remodeled to accommodate his needs. She is a wonderful single mother and her income is limited. August 11, 2011 this young man, a former student of mine was involved in a horrific accident that totally turned his life upside down. His injuries included fractured C5, C6 and C7 vertebrae, as well as T3, T4 and T5, which partially severed his spinal column. The effect of his injury has migrated upward, where a swelling in his neck prevents him from swallowing correctly. As per the ASIA impairment scale his paralysis is classified as A, meaning complete. He has no motor or sensory function below the level of injury, including the sacral segments S4-S5. The implications… he no longer can feel and has no motor control from the chin down, he is a complete quadriplegic. The automatic stuff within his body is all on, although he does not have the ability to control all bodily functions, muscle movements we take for granted. This is not a simple rehab to regain knee or wrist function. Nick is starting over. He is learning how to live with a body that no longer answers to his thoughts. The connection that transfers commands from his brain to the desired muscle is no longer there. That neural pathway no longer works. The traditional motor control for the simplest of functions, all stuff we simply do without conscious thought, is not accessible for Nick. His rehab is teaching him that he can take care of his body and control its functions. What use to be internal is manipulated and dealt with externally. Without the ability to swallow Nick cannot eat or drink. He takes in his nourishment in liquid form. He has access tubes that directly place his nourishment into his stomach or large intestine. Nick's ability to swallow could return, everyone is hoping. For the majority of Nick's many compounding needs, we can attempt to find solutions through individual grants. Individual grants cannot be dealt with until he is discharged and able to go home. The grant process is affected by and cannot be truly started until all matters of his insurance and state paper work is completed. I must look to the philanthropy of as many audiences as possible. A vehicle, specifically a van, will be difficult to find. I started by addressing local automotive dealerships. With the economy being what it is, local philanthropy is being hit hard. The realization is that what we are looking for is a lot to ask. Local transportation companies exist, but they will be expensive. Nick will be able to contract his transportation needs, but this type of transportation is limited. His apartment in his Aunt's basement is a completed space he will be very comfortable in. His Aunt is a wonderful single parent. Her funds are limited. She does not own a vehicle large enough to accommodate Nick nor can she afford to purchase one. Nick was fortunate in that for one day (Christmas) he was able to spend time home. This brief getaway was also important in that it emphasized the realization of the true expense, the cost of the type of transportation he will require. The 40-minute trip from his nursing home and back was to cost just over $300 round trip. This is such an expense. A family friend was able to borrow a small school type bus, which still cost $100 for fuel. This was wonderful. Nicholas was able to get home for the first time since his accident. The reality is that they will not have access to this small bus and any further transportation will be an overwhelming burden. It is hard to think that such a young man who has been through so much, lived through such physical trauma would be further confined simply because of the lack of transportation. There is so much Nick will be able to do. He is too young, too mentally active, to have such limitations. Nick's income will be fixed. We are hoping to find a van that can be modified with a lift. It will need to accommodate his wheelchair, which is just less than four and a half feet tall. A van of his own would allow Nick to make his wellness appointments, get to and from the hospital and open up his world preventing him from being trapped in his apartment. To find a van is to provide Nick with hope and independence. Currently Nick is receiving No financial support. His only source of income is SSI. Nick is covered under Tricare until his 21st birthday, which will be next August 2012. His paralysis leaves him currently unable to work. To find a van for Nick is so important. We are hoping to find one that can be modified with a lift to accommodate his wheelchair. Nick wants to be productive and have a life that is contributory. To receive a van would assist him in so many ways. Most importantly it would open up possibilities and give him hope and a future he can contribute; earn a living and assist others. Thank you for your time and consideration.
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