August 19, 2025
I just wanted to post an update for everyone - we have taken delivery of my Hands on Concepts Wheelchair made of both Titanium/Carbon Fiber, I also took delivery of my new EASE and Jay 3 Gel seat cushions and a new rigid back cushion that will help heal the pressure sore I’m currently dealing with and hopefully prevent more in the future. I am so appreciative of everyone’s donations and help to make this happen for me. It wouldn’t have happened without all your support. It is already making such a difference in my daily life and mobility. I uploaded some photos for everyone to see here. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
After the final disbursements are sent out for the chair, cushions, and accessories we will have some funds left in this account approx $3400.00 that we plan to use towards a Mountain Trike hopefully with the help of Victorias Victory Foundation and Challenged Athletes Foundation Grant. Once we get answers from them we will disclose how much those grants are for and set a new true fundraising goal.
Again without all of you we couldn’t even dream of having the chair I’m currently in and loving or even a chance at a piece of equipment that would allow me to enjoy the outdoors with my family, friends, and dogs.
April 4, 2025
I uploaded a CAD drawing of my Hands on Concepts Manual Wheelchair so everyone can see it :) It is designed as a titanium frame with carbon fiber seat pan, caster forks, with ultralight weight Spinergy Wheels. It is amazing to see how much work goes into getting such a customized chair and to already see just from the drawing what a difference it’ll make. I wanted to say personal THANK YOU to Joseph Donato who chose to have donations made in honor of his amazing wife Diane Donato. Diane recently passed away suddenly leaving us all in shock. I honestly can’t think of two better people than Joey and Diane. They have offered support and love my entire life. Diane and Joey have been in my life since I was 2 years old, they took my Mom, my brother, and I in as family shortly after we moved in next door.. Diane and Joey became some of my Moms very best friends and they will and always be family to not only her but me too. I can’t thank either of them enough for all they’ve done - Diane was one of the very first people I saw after waking up from numerous surgeries when I was first injured. She came and stayed with my Mom for over 2 weeks so someone would always be with her and me in the hospital. We couldn’t have done those first few weeks without her. She was always an angel to me and now has just become a guardian angel. I love you Diane always. ❤️ Joey thank you for all your love and care - and mostly for sharing your amazing wife with us.
December 18, 2024
Just a quick update :) Thank you again to everyone who has donated and everyone who continues to share my fundraiser for an ultralight wheelchair.Today, we successfully completed my fourth surgery on 2024. Thankfully it was only day surgery and I was able to come home this evening to my Fur-nurses and Jake. I am well medicated and am on bed rest for the next few days. I am extremely sore but everything went well and that’s what counts. The surgeon who is specializes in Urogynecology was able to see the issue with my bladder consistently spasming and causing my horrendous back and pelvic pain. He was able to do the procedure necessary to hopefully get me some relief. Unfortunately we won’t know if it worked for at least 7-10 days and if it did work - the procedure will have to be done every 4-6 months to continue to give me some relief. I’ll do whatever we need to do to get back to a controllable pain level. I can’t thank you all enough honestly for sharing, donating, and honestly just supporting me. I appreciate each one of you who read my updates and send me messages of encouragement. It makes me feel loved and supported which I can’t thank you enough for. I hope everyone is almost done their holiday shopping and that you get to enjoy the holiday however you want - be it traveling, seeing friends/family, relaxing at home, or not celebrating at all. Jake and I plan to relax at home while I recuperate and enjoy making some cookies for us and our pups. ?
December 11, 2024
I just wanted to extend a big thank you to everyone who has donated individually or through a business. I honestly can’t describe how grateful and thankful I am. I hope that the thank you cards, my update posts plus on social media are at least conveying that at a little. A little update : Jake and I found out yesterday that I have officially be cleared for surgery on Dec 17, 2024 - this will be my fourth surgery of 2024. We were waiting on some test results that gave the surgeon enough confidence to move forward. Thankfully this should be day surgery and it won’t require a hospital stay. Im really thankful this was approved and can proceed on Dec 17 th since our surgeon and office staff fought so hard to get prior authorization for the procedure so insurance will pay for it. They deserve so much credit for all they have done to help me get the care I need over the last year. If we had to have waited until past January 1st we would have had to start the process over with for prior approvals and would have to meet our large deductible yet again meaning more money out of pocket. As most of you know in the USA getting United Health Care to approve anything is almost impossible so when you get prior approval and a fulfilled deductible you take advantage of it. Jake will be able to take me home after the procedure where I can rest and re-cooperate with my fur-kids. Unlike my last 3 surgeries I will be able to be up after a few days rest and enjoy Christmas with my Mom and Jake. Christmas has always been my favorite holiday and when I cheat on my diabetic diet just a little :) I hope everyone has a chance to enjoy the holiday with friends or family ! Enjoy an extra cookie or two for me ?
November 28, 2024
Today, November 28, 2024, marks the 20th anniversary of my car accident that left me paralyzed with a spinal cord injury, a truly astonishing milestone, as two decades have passed. I honestly didn't think I'd see this anniversary. This is the first time in a while that Thanksgiving and my accident date fall on the same day. It has happened very few times in 20 years. It's fitting that it happens on such a milestone anniversary. Today reminds me to be thankful and grateful for every second, every minute, every hour, and every day I get with my family and friends. It reminds me that even though some days the good is outweighed by the bad, that things don’t stay that way forever, and I'd rather have bad days than no days at all. Overall I’m so grateful for time and the people in my life - I couldn’t imagine not having the last 20 years. Thank you to ALL of you as you have made them pretty amazing - especially you Jake. I couldn’t have done it all without you.I hope you all have a Happy Thanksgiving !
November 17, 2024
Thank you to everyone who has shared and donated ! I can’t be more grateful or humbled honestly by all the messages or support, sharing of the fundraiser, and donations. We just scheduled my fourth surgery of 2024 for Dec. 17 ( just a month away) - thankfully it is just supposed to be just day surgery and I’ll be able come come home to my four fur-kids at the end of the day. No anesthesia or intubation which I’m relieved about since the last 3 surgeries involved both and months of bedrest. Im super thankful that my surgeon pushed so hard to get the preapproval done through insurance as fast as he did. By doing this he getting me in for the surgery before the end of the year which will save us thousands since I’ve already met my insurance deductible for 2024. My family has already spent over $21,000.00 out of pocket in 2024 on medical expenses alone. Im hoping and praying that this surgery will finally bring some relief to the pelvic and constant back pain I’ve been in since late 2023. I’m working increasingly hard to make sure that I’m doing everything possible to get and stay as healthy as I can.I have sent personal hand written thank you cards to anyone who has donated and left an address ( non anonymous donations) and will continue to do so for anyone who donates - it’s the least I can do. So, please look for those in your mailboxes. Thank out and check back for future updates :) -Nicole
November 5, 2024
I just wanted to say THANK YOU for all the support and encouragement I’ve gotten from all of you and my local community. I’m humbled and grateful to say the least. I’m hoping there are a lot more business or people who are as kind as you all. It was a very hard decision for me to admit I needed help and even tougher to ask for it. Feeling independent, accepted, and welcome in a world not designed for you is harder than I hope I make it look ? some days. People and businesses like you all are making it easier for me by just sharing my fundraiser or donating. Having the right wheelchair will enable me to continue to be active, experience more, and to feel independent. My wheelchair is my way of experiencing the world around me and the right one doesn’t replace walking but makes it possible for me to “walk” in my own way. Just think about a great fitting pair of shoes and how they make you feel everyday - that is how a great fitting chair feels to me.
This weekend my family helped me take down all my Halloween decorations and set up my winter/Christmas Shilouttes that Jake and I made ourselves. Since my accident was in November over Thanksgiving I tend to skip the holiday - and go right from Halloween to Christmas. I thought maybe I’d share a picture going from Halloween to Christmas/ Winter hoping it’ll bring someone a smile :)
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTFvCUN67/
Thank you for reading my update. Everyone who donated and chose to not be anonymous I’ve mailed or am mailing personal thank you notes to you because that is the least you deserve. ❤️
