Searching...

No results found. Please try modifying your search.

Hello Thank You For Visiting!

We are please to welcome you to Help Hope Live Gary Bolton, a special page of motivation and support. We are here writing to you on behalf of our inspiring friend, Gary Bolton. He has always been an outgoing guy with passion for life, who lives for exciting adventures and helping people overcome adversities! Meanwhile, he is in need for more home health care, costly adaptive aids, mobility devices and a reliable modified wheelchair accessible van to improve his overall independence for a better quality of life. He remains patient for health care advancements and technology breakthroughs, as much as a possible cure for Spinal Cord Injuries in the future. He prays that people stay safe, healthy, active and remain hopefully during this times.

Updates (34)

September 16, 2024

September Is Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month. It Sure Has Been Rolling By ♿️

Bringing Awareness In Forefront For Those Who Have May Or May Not Be Aware Of How Critical Spinal Cord Injuries Are.

Many people like myself need lots of help and supportive assistance with living life with spinal cord injuries.

My main goal has to embrace my independence and mobility.

Focusing with getting an adaptive wheelchair accessible Braunability van that has a quality W.C. lift that will allow me to drive independently and safely from my Permobil F5 power wheelchair

with using specialize electronic mobility controls Aevit 2.0 system.

Here are 10 important facts about spinal cord injury (SCI), including medical costs, medical technology advancements, caregiving, and workplace inclusion:

1. **Prevalence and Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries**

- Approximately 17,900 new spinal cord injury cases are reported annually in the U.S., with causes ranging from motor vehicle accidents (38%), falls (32%), violence (14%), and sports injuries (8%) to medical or surgical incidents (4.6%).

- **Paraplegia** refers to paralysis of the lower body, affecting both legs and often parts of the trunk, while **tetraplegia (quadriplegia)** affects all four limbs.

2. **Cost of Spinal Cord Injuries**

- The **lifetime cost** of treating an individual with SCI can range from $1.2 million (incomplete paraplegia) to $5 million (complete high tetraplegia). Costs include hospitalization, rehabilitation, medical equipment, and caregiving.

- The **first-year cost** alone for a person with high tetraplegia can reach **$1.14 million**, and for paraplegia, it's around **$560,000**.

3. **Medical Treatment and Assistive Equipment Costs**

- Medical equipment like **wheelchairs, braces, and lifts** can be extremely expensive. A **basic manual wheelchair** costs around $1,000-$6,500, while a **power wheelchair** can range from $20,000 to over $35,000. Other assistive devices like **standing frames** and **exoskeletons** for mobility can cost **$80,000-$100,000** or more.

-Wheelchair accessible vehicles are a big part of mobility and can be very expensive.

Ranging $35,000-$100,000 with specialized driving controls.

- Ongoing expenses also include the cost of **medical supplies** (catheters, skin care products) and home modifications, which may cost tens of thousands of dollars.

4. **Breakthroughs in Medical Technology: Exoskeletons**

- **Exoskeletons** are wearable robotic devices that allow some individuals with spinal cord injuries to stand and walk. The **FDA-approved ReWalk and Ekso Bionics exoskeletons** are already in use and allow for increased mobility, improved mental health, and overall quality of life, though the cost remains high—up to **$100,000** per unit.

- Exoskeleton technology is continually evolving, with future iterations focusing on reducing costs and increasing accessibility.

5. **Neuro-Implant Technology**

- Companies like **Neuralink** and other neurotechnology firms are working on **brain-machine interfaces (BMIs)** to potentially restore motor function in people with spinal cord injuries. These implants use neural signals to control prosthetics or external devices and have shown promising results in early trials, such as enabling movement or controlling devices via thought.

- Studies on **spinal cord stimulation** have also shown promise in improving motor function for people with **incomplete spinal cord injuries**.

6. **Incomplete Spinal Cord Injuries**

- **Incomplete SCIs** occur when the spinal cord is only partially damaged, meaning the person retains some sensory or motor function below the level of injury. About **60% of spinal cord injuries** are incomplete, and individuals with these injuries often benefit most from rehabilitation and advanced therapies.

- People with incomplete SCIs may regain partial motor control, but often face lifelong mobility challenges, bladder/bowel dysfunction, and chronic pain.

7. **Family Life**

- Spinal cord injuries can significantly impact family dynamics often change dramatically, with many partners becoming primary caregivers, adding emotional and physical stress to relationships.

8. **Caregiving and Emotional Strain**

- Caregivers, often family members, provide daily assistance with activities such as bathing, dressing, and transportation. The burden of caregiving can lead to **emotional, physical, and financial stress**, as caregiving can be a full-time job.

- **Caregiving services** cost around **$20,000 to $50,000** annually, depending on the extent of the injury and level of care needed.

9. **Inclusion in the Workplace**

- **Workplace inclusion** for people with spinal cord injuries is critical but remains a challenge. While **ADA regulations** ensure equal opportunities and access to workplaces, people with SCI often face barriers such as inaccessible workspaces, lack of appropriate accommodations, and discrimination.

- With the right accommodations, including adjustable desks, modified equipment, and flexible work schedules, many people with SCI can remain or return to work, contributing meaningfully to society.

10. **Quality of Life and Mental Health**

- The psychological impact of SCI can be profound, with **up to 30% of survivors experiencing depression** due to loss of independence, changes in body function, and social isolation. However, support systems, peer mentorship, counseling, and technological aids (such as exoskeletons or robotic assistance) can greatly improve the quality of life for individuals with SCI.

- Mental health support is essential for both the individual with SCI and their family to cope with the emotional and practical aspects of living with the injury.

These facts show that spinal cord injury affects multiple aspects of a survivor’s life, from health and caregiving to employment and mental well-being. The cost of care is significant, but advances in medical technology and better workplace inclusion are improving the outlook for many! I feel that this journey has been very challenging and interesting while also giving me a purpose for life to help advocate for others facing the same.

Thank you for all those who have stood by my side and supported me when times have been tough. I am very grateful for life and of all of you.

I shall continue this process for my drive for more independence!

Gary Bolton ♿️

#HelpHopeLiveGaryBolton

August 18, 2024

I’m excited that I have been getting closer and closer to reaching my goal with “Drive For More Independence“ HelpHopeLive has been a great team of supporters with helping me with my campaign page. Between helping me with navigating with resources to help bring awareness for survival with spinal cord injuries and to help promote my journey with overcoming adversities and improving my ability to live life to the fullest! I find important to stay positive and keep on keeping on even when times are hard and days are difficult. I been striving to stay motivated and remain dedicated to sticking to my purpose in life with advocating and helping others in the community has been rewarding with inspiration to others!

To share some of my updates, my last post and the last few months I have been able to achieve to get my drivers license permit and been going to vocational adaptive driving school with Shrowmatt Rehabilitation Services. It has been over 16 years since I last drove legally so long ago, but then again it felt like it was almost yesterday. Undergoing specialized training to be able to use adaptive electronic hand controls to drive in a specialize wheelchair accessible van. With that, I have been able to figure out with what equipment works best for me by the vocational driving therapist instructor. It’s pretty amazing how technology is able to help people with disabilities and especially someone that has minimum to no fine motor hand control is able to drive with the proper hand controls that fit my customized needs. One thing I did learn is patience is definitely a virtue and driving is a privilege and should be taking very serious with all the other motorist on the road. Wow, that has always been something I was familiar with, but having not having to be the driver in many many years, what I once remember has came back very quick. But it will definitely be something I would have to get better and get used to just like anyone else would. With the last 35+ something hours it has definitely been a refresher and an exciting journey as well! However, I’m at the Next Step where I need to be able to afford and be able to purchase a van and have the funds for the costly expensive electric mobility control interface system called Aveit 2.0 is the system that I have been trained vigorously, how to use with practicing and becoming very comfortable with.

Now the price tag of a little over $45,000 for the unit just install in the van is a WOW of a price tag!!

Also finding the correct Braunability wheelchair ramp and also lowering the floor is another big modification expense of little $15k too I have to consider to include into the price of the build out after I purchase a new or used new van. Some of the minivans and full-size vans I have looked at our pretty pricey too. I have looked and learned to put the interface system into a vehicle that will accommodate me is right about $35k as well for just the vehicle alone. I wasn’t really totally prepared to be able to take on this hefty, but it needs to happen for the best. So I’ve been fundraising and working and saving money while also having to constantly put money into the old van I had that is over 20 something years old with over 200,000 miles has really had a hard life and is no longer reliable with the broken lift that I had been making work for almost 10+ years.

If you have ever wondered about how beneficial a fully modified wheelchair accessible van that has a W.C. lift fully customized with electric mobility hand controls so that a person can drive the vehicle from a power wheelchair. It’s definitely not a simple regular van that most people would see. So having one would definitely improve and make everyday mobility easier.

I have consulted with United Access and they have a few vehicles that would be a good fit for me. I know I will need a hefty down payment and have money for the adaptive electronic mobility hand controls that my insurance Medicare does not cover. I have a part-time job that is mostly can mission based so I am happy to try to make a living where I can afford this new chapter in my life. I’ve been so thankful for the community with their kind, donations and assistance with fundraiser events. Well, I will continue to stay focused on my drive from our independence. I wished you had achieved this goal sometime in the year of 2024. I’m getting closer and closer and it feels like I have a couple more months to be prepared for this big exciting purchase!

Partner up with a reliable 501(3) (C) charity Help Hope Live South-Central Catastrophic Injury Fund has been sent up for campaign page to help support my journey “Drive For More Independence“

BIG THANKS TO ALL THE KIND WONDERFUL PEOPLE WHO HAVE GIVEN WITH ACTION TO HELP GARY BOLTON!

#HelpHopeLiveGaryBolton

www.helphopelive.org/campaign/354/

Photo Galleries (6)

Loading Images

Guestbook

August 19, 2024

Donation from the Bigass Crawfish Bash Foundation

Quentin Severin

January 4, 2024

I’m happy to be a part of the helping community to assist families with special needs and disabilities. Care givers are the back bone for home health care.

Wishing HelpHopeLive Gary Bolton a blessed, healthy and prosperous happy new in 2024!

Checkout Gary Bolton’s inspiring story as he overcomes all life adversities living life as a Spinal Cord Injury patient.
www.helphopelive.org/campaign/354/

#helphopelivegarybolton

Bianca

October 11, 2021

Clément and my desire is to see Gary walk again. His cause is ever before our eyes and we would like to congratulate him for his courageous and successful Fundraiser!

Rhonda Wilson-Dikoko