Help Andrew Gain His Independence

My name is Andrew, I am 22 years of age, when I was 8 years old, I was diagnosed with Type I diabetes (juvenile diabetes). My type I diabetes was very brittle throughout the years with numerous hospitalizations with DKA. Two years ago in 2023, I passed out in my home where I lived alone. I was unconscious for several hours until a family member had stopped by to check in, and they had found me laying on the floor unresponsive. From there I was transported to a local hospital by ambulance to the ER. Doctors there thought it would be best to sedate me and intubate; I had aspirated prior to being intubated. From the ER I was transferred to CCU where I would remain for the next 17 days, during this time I would be in for the fight for my life. On day 4, I rapidly started to decline with acute organ failure with sepsis and temps reaching as high as 106.1. The CCU doctors had called my father in and told him that I would not make it through the night and that I had a 60/40 chance of surviving. My dad reacted quickly, he made a few phone calls to his pastor and 2 other men to meet him at the hospital in CCU. He stated that it was “time for war to be declared against the devil”. My dad arrived before anyone and was assisting the nurses packing me down in bags of ICE. After the room was cleared of everyone my dad and his friends began to pray and lay hands on me, my dad said he even got into the hospital bed with me and prayed scripture saying “rise up Lazurus in the name of Jesus” it was after that my temp would rapidly drop to normal my catheter bag started filling up. My synoptic coloring that was around my face and neck started to disappear with vitals returning to normal. Numerous battles would occur like this for the next 90 days. I was transferred to the University Hospital while still intubated by critical care transport. The next day I was extubated, and a bedside tracheostomy performed, When I was fully awake I realized that I could not feel anything below my neck. I was a full quadriplegic, during the intubation period I had a spinal cord infarction AKA spinal cord stroke. It was a couple weeks later in CCU I started to move my hands and fingers. I then transferred to step down to gradually be taken off the ventilator. I had to learn everything again, breathing, swallowing, talking, etc. My dad stayed by my side the entire time he never left me. During this time our church family prayed continually and God answered their prayers—Andrew is a miracle. Slowly, I have regained feeling in my arms and some in my chest. Doctors from out of state believe I can regain even more strength and movement.

Despite these immense challenges my determination to pursue my dream of becoming a neurologist remains unshaken. I am focused on returning to school and has even been approved to drive again! However, a major obstacle stands in my way: accessible transportation.