Hi, my name is Tammy Le. On April 4, 2008, during my senior year at Milpitas High School, I was in a car accident that shattered my C4-C5 vertebrate. The spinal cord injury incurred paralyzed me from my chest down, leaving me an incomplete quadriplegic. It completely changed my life–I went from being independent, holding a part-time job, to being completely dependent, I couldn’t even feed myself. My paralysis didn’t just mean the loss of movement and/or sensation for me, it ultimately meant the loss of my independence.

Over the past year, with the money raised from my last fundraiser, I was able to afford a Saratoga arm cycle to strengthen my arms and keep me active when physical therapy was not affordable. With this arm cycle, I have made so much progress and have much more mobility in my left arm — an area that I have always struggled with. I had set a personal goal that I would able to push myself, and on the 7th year anniversary of my accident, I was finally able to do achieve it. It felt surreal because I honestly could not picture myself–it was so redeeming and encouraging. Recently, with the help of my family, I can now afford to restart therapy again, but with the expenses being so high and my insurance only covering one primary chair at a time – being my electric chair- I cannot afford a brand new manual chair. The manual chair I do have is not fitted for pushing, which can damage my shoulders. I would like to once again ask for your generous help to me fundraise so that I can purchase a fitted manual chair which will help me remain active and healthy,along with living as independently as possible. Thank you sincerely for your contributions.