I fell 4 stories (40 ft) off my balcony in the North End of Boston which was a result from being in a domestic violence relationship for 3 years. I was rushed into emergency surgery on my spinal cord to Mass General Hospital. After I got out of surgery, I was so confused. They told me to wiggle my toes but nothing happened. My hands were so weak, I couldn’t hold my phone or even hold the call bell.
I spent 3 weeks in the Surgical ICU where I had a tracheostomy and was on the ventilator, a stent in my neck due to a broken artery, a fractured scapula, a blood clot in my left leg, chest tubes, had the feeding tube and was experiencing mini strokes. I had to use a letter board to communicate with others. I had to learn how to eat, breathe, and speak on my own again.
I got transferred to Spaulding Rehab where I did intensive physical therapy and occupational therapy for 90 days. Sensation started to come back and my left leg started moving and eventually I started taking steps with my left leg.
However, when my discharge date came close, my ex boyfriend of 3 years, I found out he was texting another girl. I asked him about it, and he ended up cheating on me and ghosting me with no explanation. This put me into a deep depression and my muscles started to atrophy after all my hard work in rehab.
Even before my paralysis, I have been working very hard on my mental health since July 2018 due to my ex’s drug use. On top of my quadriplegia, I suffer from a number of mental illnesses. I’ve been a human lab rat, trying out many medications and seeing many therapists and psychiatrists.
I am quadriplegic but I also am diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, bipolar I, complex PTSD, depression and chronic anxiety.
I’ve made great strides within 2.5 years of being paralyzed and am living on my own for the first time. I’m returning back to the work force. I’m motivated to get my physical health back in check, I’m still focused on improving my mental health, and regaining my independence.
I’m not one to ask for help but I’m fundraising because I want to return back to Journey Forward which is a specialty non profit gym focused on improving those with paralysis however, it’s $100/hr. I want to go there once a week for two hours.
I’m also fundraising so I can afford Ketamine IV infusions which are not officially approved by the FDA but it is scientifically researched to help people who are bipolar, depressed, anxious and/or suffer from PTSD. For a series of 6 infusions within 2-3 weeks, for a 45 minute session it can cost from $550-650 for each session.
Because I got a new job, I’m planning on moving to California by March or April. I’ll need help with PCAs, handicapped transportation, and getting disability adaptive work items as well as adaptive items to make me more independent. As well as handicapped equipment like a roll in shower chair/commode.
I want to thank everyone who has supported me in the past as I’ve been very silent about both these topics. This is the first time where I’m being open about my accident and mental illnesses. Thank you to amazing friends, family, old classmates, and strangers who have helped and supported me. Big thanks to my close friends who never treated me differently after my accident.
For those looking to help, donations to Hope Help Live will help support my life to become more independent/stronger physically and also help improve my mental health as I’m rebuilding my life. I thank you in advance for your support.
Chelsea Bateman
Family and friends of Chelsea Bateman are raising money for the nonprofit Help Hope Live to fund uninsured medical expenses associated with Catastrophic Injury.
Chelsea has chosen to fundraise for Help Hope Live in part because Help Hope Live assures fiscal accountability of funds raised and tax deductibility for contributors. Contributors can be sure donations will be used to pay or reimburse medical and related expenses. To make a tax-deductible donation to this fundraising campaign, click on the Give button.
For more information, please contact Help Hope Live at 800.642.8399.
Thank you for your support!
