Since that time, she has had four additional major back surgeries. Thanks to her amazing friends and family raising money, she was able to purchase a 2011 handicap van in the spring of 2018. It has been an enormous blessing in her life and given her the ability to become more independent and start getting out and about more often!

2018 was difficult in that Terry and Carmen lost Tink, Carmen’s 2lb emotional support dog. Tink was the perfect dog for the 8 years she served Carmen to help her over the hump of transitioning into the life of paraplegia. There was always someone who wanted to see Tink or talk about their own dog and it softened the fear people have of wheelchairs in general. So when praying about the next dog God lead us to this decision….

The very exciting news is that Carmen is now raising funds for the opportunity to be placed with a trained service dog. Once the pups are trained for 4 months by volunteers they are then placed with an Inmate at the local prison who has been trained to take the dogs to the next level. Carmen will go to the prison in the spring to meet the dogs and wonderful trainers. These dogs live with the inmate and even sleep in their bunk bed for about 1 year. When she meets the dogs one will gravitate toward her and ultimately “choose” her. At that point the trainer will begin to train the dog from a wheelchair and teach it all the things it will need to do for Carmen in the future like picking up keys, phone, opening doors and helping her up steep ramps etc. This will be life changing for Carmen as she will never have to go out alone again hoping to find a stranger to help her. These dogs cost $25,000 over the course of 18 months. Retrieving Independence raises $12,500 and the participant is required to raise the other $12,500. Then in November of 2020 we will have our 10 day camp where we live and learn with our new dog until the end of camp where there will be a graduation ceremony.

This new journey with a large, trained service dog will open many doors for Carmen. She is hopeful to take her dog back into the prison system and minister to the people who made all this possible, the inmates themselves. She is very excited to see how God can use her, her new service dog and their story to further His kingdom.

In spite of the many struggles that they have had, Terry & Carmen remain hopeful and optimistic! They love to share their story and encourage people with words of hope and joy.

Sincerely,
Beth DeLap Hamby, close friend of Carmen’s
502-718-0661

Carmen has chosen to fundraise with Help Hope Live in part because Help Hope Live assures fiscal accountability of funds raised and tax deductibility to the full extent allowed by law for donors. Donors can be sure that funds donated will be used only to pay or reimburse medically-related expenses. To make a tax-deductible donation to this fundraising campaign, click on the Donate Now button.

For more information, please contact Help Hope Live at 800.642.8399.

Thank you for your support!