Tiffany Tharpe

Hey Friends, Many of you who visit this fundraiser page know me (Tiffany Tharpe) and about my accident, but for those who don’t, I want to introduce myself, tell you about my accident, and explain why I am reaching out for your financial help. In August 1994, just a few weeks after my 15th birthday, I went to the local state park for a fun afternoon with my cousins. However, the day took a sudden turn when I dove into the spring and injured my spinal cord at the C5/6 level. I’m not entirely sure exactly what happened. I grew up swimming there and had dove in the same spot two days before, but for reasons only God knows, that dive changed my life. The damage to my spinal cord was permanent, leaving me quadriplegic.

I say that life has not been easy since that day, but it has been blessed. God has been with me through it all. One blessing has been a great support system that has been there to help provide the daily care that I need. I need 24/7 help because of the extent of my paralysis. I regained limited movement in my arms, and I can move my wrists, but I have no grip. I can feed myself, brush my teeth, write, and use the computer, but I need help from adaptive equipment to manage these tasks. I need help with everything else. This includes a number of tasks, such as bathing, dressing, rolling for pressure relief in bed, getting up in my wheelchair, managing my catheter, managing my ostomy, washing and styling my hair, setting up my toothbrush, preparing my food, and driving to and from wherever I go. Those are just some of the major tasks; there are many other smaller things that come up during the day that I need help with.

As I mentioned, I have had a great support system over the last 30 years that has helped me with this. Family and friends who either physically provided care themselves or helped financially by paying others to care for me. It has not always been easy—actually, a month-to-month, sometimes day-to-day challenge of arranging care—but God has provided in amazing ways. Recently, however, it seems the challenge has grown more difficult because some of those who have helped me physically or financially have sadly passed away, while others are getting older and facing their own health challenges.

I do receive some government assistance, in case you’re wondering, but as of now, it only helps cover 20 hours a week of caregiver services. God has also blessed me with a job that allows me to contribute to part of my care expenses. Yet, even with these two things, the cost of paying for care is beyond what I can do alone.

That is why I am reaching out through this fundraising campaign to a broader community of supporters, asking that if you find it within your heart and means to help me meet this challenge of continuing to pay for care at home. Without the financial ability to pay for care, I cannot live independently at home and would have to go to a nursing home to receive the level of care I need.

As you can see from the title of the fundraiser page, I also mention helping with van repair. That is because the modified van I currently own is over 22 years old (I’ve had it for 19 years), and although it is in driving condition, I try not to travel any further than necessary for doctors’ appointments, grocery shopping, and other errands, as it has some issues. Additionally, the main modified part of the van—the ramp I use to get in and out of the van—has stopped working automatically and now needs to be manually lifted up and down, which is not an easy task. I would love a new van or a used one that’s still in good condition, but even a decent used one is around $50,000 these days. That being the case, I would love to raise enough funds to repair the ramp and upgrade some of the essential driving elements.

I have chosen to fundraise through Help Hope Live because the organization assures fiscal accountability for funds raised. You can be assured that your donation will be used to cover or reimburse medical and care-related expenses. To make a tax-deductible donation (by credit or debit card), click the Give button. If you prefer to donate by check, instructions are available on the left side of the page under ‘Mail a Check’.

Thank you for your support!

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