Wheelchair Van Lift Grant For Alone Woman With Multiple Disabilities

by Sheryl
(Council Bluffs, Iowa, USA)

I'm 58-year-old disabled lady, born and raised with two brothers on my parents' farm.

Growing up and working on the farm was hard but very honorable.

My first job other than farm work was at an old-fashioned ice cream shop making $1 per hour.

I finished high school and college. To shorten the story, I would be in accounting and collections for over 30 years.

I was laid off a 15-year job right before my father’s health went downhill.

My mother and I cared for him for at home but in 2000 he had another TIA, which left him unable to stand or walk.

This led to the decision of getting more care for him in a nursing home. Because of his diabetes and kidney failure, he passed in 2001.

I knew my mother would not be able to live on her own so to help her I sold my house and all furnishings.

I bought new furniture for me and carpet and some furniture for mom, and made an apartment in her basement.

Mom got a new knee in 2003. She had a bad time walking. We found out she had a heart problem, but surgery went fine.

Two months later on a Sunday we had lunch. She wanted to take a ride to the cemetery where my father was. She even walked to the plot.

We took a ride around the country and went back home. I went to the basement to do laundry, she napped and she passed away.

All the time I took care of both my father and mother, my brothers were never around to help.

After mother passed I started looking for work. I had a lot of experience in collection so I went for that.

My health started going on me. I kept getting bronchitis. I had smoked for 25 years and the doctor kept telling me that did not help. I decided to quit and I did. I still don't know how but I thank God I did.

Then they found one thing after another. This is my list:

Allergies
Arthritis
Fibromyalgia
Deteriorating disks
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Depression,
High blood pressure
High cholesterol
Sleep apnea
Emphysema
Diabetes

I cannot stand or walk more than 10 to 15 minutes. I can do some cleaning of the house but not all of it.

I have a motorized wheelchair but the apartment is not completely handicapped accessible.

I have a nurse that comes once a week for my health and to set up medicines. A bathing aid comes three times a week.

I have a medical nebulizer, an oxygen machine and a portable CPAP but I have claustrophobia (so I get panic attacks).

I do some mending for people. I have a car but no lift to take the wheelchair. I wish I did.

I receive Social Security Disability and energy assistance.

I have a motorized wheelchair but no way to get it to places. I have a car. But I need a way to take my motorized wheelchair with me for doctor visits, shopping, visiting, etc.