Help Hope Live for Jamie Carlson

June 9, 2024

I want to thank everyone so much for the donations. As of end of may I am having to take a little break from work because doctors found a tumor in my leg. I am having surgery in June to have it removed. We are quilting like crazy to do quilt auctions for the fundraiser. I am keeping my head up that everything is going to be okay.

December 9, 2023

Hi my name is Jamie and I have cerebral palsy from the waist down. I was born with cerebral palsy because my biological mother made bad choices with substances when she was pregnant with me. This caused brain damage that caused my medical condition. Thankfully medicine and technology has helped me live my life the best i can.

Over the course of my lifetime I have had 22 surgeries to try to help with my cerebral palsy from the waist down. 8 years ago I was informed I would need to be in a wheelchair full time for the rest of my life. And we know there will be future surgeries as well.

I have never let the need for a wheel chair limit my abilities to do things for myself. However it has limited my ability to use a car. My car has hand controls so that I can still drive myself however there is still a need when it comes to a vehicle.

My wheel chair comes apart into 5 pieces. 2 wheels, the back support, the cushion and the base. To get this into my current vehicle I must take these parts off and lean my chair all the way back and lift them into my passenger seat. Sounds like a lot of work right? It is. Now add in any kind of weather and the amount of effort increases 10 fold. Imagine trying to get in and out on your own in the pouring rain for anything. You get soaking wet multiple times.

Currently i use my vehicle to basically only go to work and back home. This limits my ability to take part in any kind of social functions, see family or friends. Did you know that most Lyft/Uber or other ride share services do not serve wheelchair users?

I would love to be able to have a vehicle I can just roll into and go places. I love to quilt and sew and go to workshops but am very limited as of right now.

Sewing has become my passion since I have been in the wheelchair fulltime.