March 10, 2020

2018 was a ruff year for Ken. At the end of 2017 the VA replaced the base of Kens’ chair. We where grateful for the new wheelchair base the VA provided for Kens’s chair. Sadly the base had to be replaced after United Airlines dropped his chair at least twice on outlast trip. United did pay for the damage that was visible, but we did not know about the motor/battery damage.The VA decided to replace the base unite of the chair. Sadly when the VA put Kens seat on the new base they changed the position of the seat. Ken told the VA that the seat was on the wrong position. The VA rep told us we did not know what we where talking about and that Ken will get use to the chair. Very quickly Ken started to get the beginnings of pressure sores. We told the VA about the issues but where ignored. In November Ken nearly died. He was admitted to the hospital for a ruptured stomach. He survived emergence surgery. Thankfully his recovery was faster than expected. But the pressure sores erupted too critical because of Kens weakened conditioned. As a result Ken was admitted to a VA hospital in February for treatment of the the now critical pressure sores. He was in Albuquerque for two months before they informed us that they could not do the needed surgery for the pressure sores. VA moved Ken to Virginia for three months for surgery and recovery. Then back to Albuquerque for more recovery. All told Ken was in VA hospitals for 9 months of 2018. 9 months is better than the 18 months they wanted to keep him. Because of Ken being in the hospitals for 9 months I lost all of my income for that 9 months on top of everything. The VA pays me to care for Ken and any time he is in a hospital my pay stops.

To complicate life even more I was in an accident in April of 2019. Not only was my only car totaled, I was injured. Now I am looking at neck surgery very soon. We are looking for a place to care for Ken doing my recovery. We are hoping for a quick recovery for me as we can not have the loss of income if the recovery is long.

March 28, 2017

It is hard to believe it has been 9 years since my hit and run accident that left me a c-5 quad. Doctors told me I would be lucky to live 5 years. It has not been easy. In 2012, I had to have emergency surgery to remove a very big bladder stone that nearly killed me with sepsis. In 2014, I underwent another surgery so I could continue to breathe on my own. In 2015 Chris decided to stay home to care for me full time. With the love of my wife and sons, I continue to do well. Thank you to all who continue to donate to my fund. It has been a big help.