January 1, 2024

Much has changed since my last update. First, let me say THANK YOU for your generosity. Past donations have helped us cover more than $25,000 in annual medical supplies, medication, and care not covered by insurance, not to mention much larger periodic expenses for equipment, acute care, vehicle and home modifications. These are all standard spinal cord injury expenses and, without your support, the burden would be immense. Your gifts have made a tremendous difference, allowing me to remain in stable health, do valuable work, and enjoy life.

I wish I could end this update there and say that everything is remaining stable but, unfortunately, there have been some very challenging developments.

Last year, caring for my elderly mother after a bone-breaking fall pushed my arms and shoulders, worn from 20 years of wheeling, lifting, and caring for my paralyzed body, into a new reality. The damage causes chronic pain and severely limits my previous ability to do... well... everything.

This new reality necessitates a radical change in my lifestyle, in addition to extensive (and new) medical treatment. I'll be moving to a power wheelchair, which means retrofitting our house and acquiring a new vehicle, plus I'll need additional care at home. Thankfully, insurance has approved the custom powerchair, but everything else (including the medical treatment) is out of pocket. It's a whopper!

We haven't faced unexpected expenses of this magnitude since the very beginning of my injury. It's daunting and not just a little scary. But I know I'm not alone. And I hope that we can count on your support as we navigate these new waters.

I'll keep you updated as things unfold and, hopefully, celebrate the many miracles we achieve. Know that really nothing I am or do is possible without you. It sounds exaggerated but it's true. Community has always been my injury's greatest gift.

With love,

Lyena

November 29, 2017

HelpHOPELive has been a major force in my ability to live, work, and thrive with a spinal cord injury.

Even really good health insurance covers only a small fraction of the staggering lifelong cost of living with a spinal cord injury. Home and vehicle modifications, proper mobility devices, attendant care, and DAILY USE medical supplies are just a few of the expenses spinally injured folks have to bear largely on their own.

Help Hope Live provides financial support to people like me to cover these uninsured medical expenses.

Without Help Hope Live, and the generous contributions of donors like you, my life simply would not be possible. And the work I do coaching and inspiring others to use challenges as a catalyst for transformation would cease completely.

Thank you for your support!!