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My husband, Willie Tucker, suffered life-changing injuries to his spinal cord, head and respiratory system on May 5, 2013 caused by a devastating motor vehicle accident. Now a quadriplegic, Willie must have a tracheostomy and respiratory equipment to breathe and keep him alive. He was in SICU for 18 days from the day of the accident until he was transferred to a nursing home May 22, 2013.
Willie stayed at the nursing home until April 24, 2014, the same day he was brought home to be among family and friends. He had endured procedures at the hospital to prepare him for long-term care yet, even at home, improvements have been minimal.
Before the accident, Willie could be found outside working on some type of vehicle or fishing which he loved the most. To have the ability to go outdoors in the fresh air; attend church and family gatherings; watch the kids play sports and to visit his parents, family and friends back in his hometown of Rusk, TX would change his world enormously in a very tangible, positive way. A wheelchair accessible van would make all these things possible again. Willie’s doctor appointments would even become less stressful however, they are very expensive. This is where Willie needs your help.
Even though Willie has insurance, it does not provide coverage for the expense of a wheelchair van and from the time of injury he needed me as his caregiver 24/7. I was no longer able to work and so we have the loss of my income as well. To help with the financial burden of Willie’s uninsured expense of a modified van, a fundraising campaign in his honor has been established with HelpHOPELive, a trusted nonprofit organization that has been providing community-based fundraising guidance to patients and their families for more than 30 years. All donations are tax deductible, are held by HelpHOPELive in the South-Central Spinal Cord Injury Fund, and are administered by HelpHOPELive for injury-related expenses only. Please consider an end-of-year tax deductible contribution.
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Thank you for any help that you can offer. Willie needs some of his independence and freedom back and your help will make the difference.
Sincerely,
Gail Ledbetter Tucker, Willie’s wife
Gail74ledbetter@gmail.com
806-402-4228
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God, blessed us to see another Thanksgiving; we really didn't do nothing. Got Willie up out of bed to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Prade. Not to much is really happen nor has anything changed so far. Truly just thanking God for each of our days and praying we see Christmas and another New Year. If we are bless we will be going to see the pulmonologist in February about the test results. Which I know they're not wanted to down size Willie's tracheostomy.
Yesterday doctor appointment was different then all others. I was surprised cause it was like if Willie was getting prepped for surgery, but was just going to get his tracheostomy and vocal cords check. He was surrounded by nurses one drawing blood and starting an IV, one doing paper work, two putting information in the computer, and several coming in and out with supplies it was a day like no other. Just thankful that the test went well and that there is no damages to the vocal cords. Now is just the waiting period which I will remain doing with Faith Trust Believe and Patience in God for Willie to SPEAK again. Do to the truma to the brain.
It took me a while to get myself together and start putting together fundraising events. Which I have several going. Just seem like nothing moving forward right now but, as long as God see that I'm trying I have Faith Trust Belief and Patience that the Lord will soon let things start looking up within the fundraising. I have some different approach I'm lookking to take after the holidays.
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It want be long that the year will be gone. Must say, we had one heck of a year. I'm thankful to God for allowing us to make it through all that was brought among it. As we slowly keep moving forward to see the new year. We don't or want complain cause every day is a blessing, and we shall rejoice and enjoy each one no matter what lies ahead.
Willie has took ill since Saturday. He started having seizures around 2:30am but there hasn't been to much of a change. Haven't had a seizure but started throwing up late Saturday part of Sunday. He's been able to stay off the oxygen much as possible till today. Has been on it most of the day. Put a call into the doctor waiting to hear from him. I'm just waiting and praying. Hard to tell how he's feeling and don't truly know since he don't talk. Praying no trip to the hospital cause I haven't have a ride to go. Praying whatever it is God lets it pass over.
I have so much on my plate but I'm not giving up. I'm not go even get mad I'm go take a deep breath and keep moving. First I'm trying to set up a candy shop with this organization to start a fund raiser. Then I'm also trying to get either a digital scale to put on the Hoyer lift or an wheelchair scale cause trying to guess and figure out Willie's weight isn't safe. I'm working with my coordinator and hopefully we can get the right paper work they're asking for so I can get my shop on the way.
I have been having so much trouble with Willie's insurance. It seem like once I get one problem taking care of another occur and what's sad is it's the same things.
We made it to our neurology appointment on the first. The doctor has requested all of Willie's medical records so that he can compare them with the new findings that's been brought about. So we want be going back to see the neurology till December.
This will be the first time Willie will miss an appointment do to the insurance. Do to the insurance haven't approve the ambulance service Willie receives to go too and from his doctor appointments. Hoping that they have everything taking care of soon cause Willie has two appointments coming up that he really have to go too. One is the urology for a follow up and also to get the new catheter change. Then next month is his first appointment to go see the neurology. I'm just go take a deep breath and hope this all ends with a Victory for us.
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I'm just trying so hard to hold on. When I feel like its all go be all right I have a set back seem like I'm truly by myself physically. I keep telling myself its go get better just stay patience and focus on what your doing. Truly sometimes it help but then when time like these come around it hit me I still in the same situation I was in months go. Then you try to juggle things around to make ends met from one month to the next living on monthly income. But you find yourself struggling trying to make in met. When you live in a small town where there is nothing. That's all you can do until God bless a door to open up on this one job that's 10 miles away where they only have one nursing home. You fill in your heart that if you can get back out there among the working field all will be okay. Then you can get that wheelchair van that you've had your heart set on. You can then take Willie on outings visit church kids activities and want even worry bout how you go get to the doctor appointments with him. All that burden will be over. It don't hurt to hope pray and wish. One day it shall pass . Willie is still maintaining. He will be going to the urology this month next month to the pulmonologist and in September the neurologist. I'm holding on to God cause I know God Got Me
Want to first give Thanks to the Almighty God up above for all that he's been allowing to happen among our lives. We haven't heard from an nureology yet but we have an appointment to go see an urology in July. Willie is doing fine and is still being bless. I just keep on doing what God has giving me to do and I keep right on thanking the Lord and moving forward. Willie still have seizures but not like he did one day so far the new medicine he's been on has been doing wonders. I believe soon everything else is go slowly fall into place.
Yesterday was the worst experience I had dealt with so far within our journey yes I was scared but I stayed calm just seen him having all them seizures all at once every 2-6 seconds non stop for bout four hours I felt so hopeless cause I knew I had to get him rush to the ER but without transportation for me made it hard so I kept an eye on him but they wouldn't let up so I started calling looking for a ride at the last minute I found one so I sent him by ER they did labs cat scan gave him some seizure medicine he's resting for now back at home praying God let something give soon
Sometimes I find myself holding back my tears more now then what I used to but when I do shed my tears its not from what I'm going through nor cause my burden is to heavy. Its cause I look back over our journey and see where God has brought us from. Willie is on .5 litter of oxygen thanks to the Almighty God. Sometimes I feel like I'm never going to get our fund raising on the way cause I'm only One Person and I'm not able to manage it around my schedule for I'm the One that care for Willie 24/7. Truly not only have this impact his life but it has mind as well but one thing I know I'm not go give up on My God. When God see fit for us to have the proper vehicle for Willie God go bless us just like the Lord has been blessing us. I will remain strong in Faith Trust Believe and Patience in God.
What a year, so much has happen some was wonderful and truly a blessing. Willie has been back into the hospital for all most two weeks and came home on antibiotic for six weeks which add more to my caring for him but not complaining cause through all that he made it to see his 41 Birthday this month and celebrate his one year being home from the nursing it haven't been easy we still have our good and bad days but my Faith is what keep me going my Trust is what makes me try harder and my Belief keeps me strong and my Patience keep me standing and with all that and the Lord within me and by my side I will keep striving to do my best
Within our journey we have faced many trials and tribulations by the Grace of God he's blessed us to over come them I've been trying to get some if our fundraisers on the way but seem like when the time get near something happens which ends up pushing things back I'm trying my best and I know the Lord see that I am I'm only one person trying to get this situated somethings we have no control of we don't understand why things happen the way they do but its a good reason behind them do to Willie been in the hospital for all most two weeks and coming home on antibiotics for six weeks I'm not going to be able to start my fundraising till he's finished sometimes I feel like I'm wasting time or all is hopeless then I take a deep breath look where we are now we came this far by God's Grace just like when he was in the hospital this one doctor keep wanted to do this procedure but I didn't understand his reason why it wasn't like Willie bowels wasn't moving so I took it to the Lord and let him help me with that and after God showed me I informed them it was not a good idea I believe and I have faith and trust and patience that God go provide us with what he see fit for us to have even though it get hard time to time I will not and I shall not Give Up
As of today not much has change. I'm looking into getting a speech pathologist on board to help retract Willie to talk and do a swallow evaluation. Not able to do it until the weather clear up. And I've been looking into getting our fundraising on the way. Praying God bless me to start with selling candles and nuts bout snacks. If so this event will start on April 1 2015 and run till May 1 2015. Then with the same company the Lord bless me once again I'm going to be selling T-shirts will list all the event in our fund raising section when time get closer with pictures. Willie has been sick do to the weather. Its been ice, snow , and cold so with all that he's back on oxygen was on just a liter but had to increase him to 2 litter. We've been through worse then this had by God anointing and grace we have over came some hard and ruff situation and I believe God go bless and keep pulling us through cause we both trying all we can do. And truly that's all one can do so worry I don't know more cause if I do that means I have little faith trust believe and patience in God. So without worrying I know how strong my relationship is with the Lord and in do time everything is go be all right
I have got several fund raising packages in the mail. So hoping when I get over my cold I can get them on the way going to start sealing popcorn, candy, candles, t-shirts plates. Its just hard cause for now its just me. I'm trying to arrange for some of his friends and family back home to help out. I will figure something out soon asking for prayer
as of this last weekend Willie had to be put back on oxgen he's oxygen level drop as well as his sugar but as of today he's doing fine he's still remain on 3litters of oxygen for now. Hoping that he keeps in proving a little each day so we can start removing the oxygen again. Praying that I want have to send him out to the hospital that he can be treated at home if need to. I say this because I have no transportation and ones that was helping me can't depend on. It wouldn't bother me or worry me if willi was able to communicate but he's not and I'm an CNA and I have seen others miss treat abuse or neglect people in Willie's condition. Its sad cause you trust them with your love one. I'm praying that God keep providing for us and keep watch over him.
I was a little worried this week do to we had our schedule appointment to see the pulmonologist on Thursday, but do to the non-emergency ambulance service been expired didn't see how we was going to get there. I took it upon myself to contact the insurance and inform them about the following appointment and how many doctors we go see and how many times. I waited patiently to hear from the insurance but instead I heard from the ambulance that provide the service for my husband. They was calling to inform that they will be able topic him up tomorrow(Thursday) for his appointment. I was so relieved. When we got there i informed the doctor what has happening and been going on since he last seen us. He informed me if i have any concerns to call or bring him into the ER. Thursday was my husband first time to travel to the doctor with out the use of any equipment. By the grace of God my husband is breathing on his own and the next step is to set up a swallow evaluation and start speech therapy. So hopefully by the next time we go see the pulmonolgist which will be in August praying that we will be making words that others can understand.
Since our last visit to the ER Willie's has been maintaining. We had to do a follow up visit with our regular doctor. So I called them and informed the office what had happen. The nurse called back to schedule an appointment for the doctor to come to the house to follow up from the ER. You know some do understand that it's hard for us to get to and from and I must say I'm thankful for our doctor cause he truly see and understand that. The doctor came stated that he looks to be getting over it and if anything else just to call to the office. Well since his flu epidemic we had a little set back not much just had to be put back on oxygen but now where back at trying go get off the oxygen again. Also bout two weeks now he's been wearing his speaking device and hopefully the Lord willing next moth will go see the pulmonologist to talk bout all that's happened. And to find out what our next step go be. We was receiving therapy but no comes to the small town where we live so I've done started doing his therpay myself. I work it around my schedule with the rest of his daily needs. Must say so far its going smooth.
We are truly bless to see another Christmas and Year which we give Thanks to Our Lord and Savior. This year started off with a little bump in the road had to rush him to the ER New Years early that morning. They did labs x-ray urine sample and swap for the flu. Which seem to be what he had. So prescribed some medicine to give at home to take. Was happy they didn't keep him that he was able to come back home. Now he's feeling a little better.
As of December 16 2014 Willie is breathing without the support of any respiratory support but still has trach until we go back and see the pulmonologist in February to see what our next step going to be Thankful and Giving God Praise
Starring the new year seem like we've got a lot going. Just praying that this time my ride will come through for me. In January we have two doctors appointments: will be going back to check on the wound with the wound doctor which we go once a month, then we will start seen a doctor also starting next month bout the right hip which is shattered, then we going to start seen a foot doctor cause he's a diabetic and his toe nails looking bad, then we go see the pulmonologist every three months as you can see my hands are full but if my ride don'tdo like last time I will be okay just go pray
Yesterday, Willie had a doctor appointment to go too. Which since I'm not able to take him. He's been set up to go by ambulance service here close to home. I don't mind cause he needs to get to his appointments but, the only sad thing bout it. Is that I'm not able to ride in the ambulance with him which leaves me looking for a ride, and here lately things been going well. Until yesterday, which leaded him to go without me. Do to my ride didn't come through. So the whole time while he was gone I was nervous and worried bout him cause, he's not able to communicate and he's also a diabetic. Which explain the worries and nervousness. I phone the clinic and informed them my situation and what things he's out of. So, I called back to check on him and they informed me he's just left. So I kept myself busy cleaning until he came and, when he arrived I checked is sugar it was in the 100 then this morning it was lower in the 80s. This is the first time something like this happened and I believe its do from yesyesterday cause I wasn't able to go. When I'm there ill check his sugar and blous feed him through his peg tube. When things are out if our hands all we can do is pray and hope for the best. So today I will be keeping a closer eye on his sugar then usual.
So thankful to the Lord for blessing us to see another Thanksgiving even though we were not able to be among family and friends we enjoyed one another Willie slept all morning but I got him up any way we started our day off by watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Prade he slept and I finished cooking then we ate u feed him a little not much then to top his day off he watched a video about his family back at home from last year family reunion then I put him to bed I can say that we are truly bless
Last week the pulmonologist stated that he wasn't going to do nothing unless he start having a fever or thing changes. So we pu a call into the primary physician just to get x-ray to make shure everything was all right. So the primary physician order the x-ray and everything came back good so the only thing could thank of was to turn the oxygen level down cause when he started wanting to be removed off the vent/ c pap his oxygen level would drop and when we removed it his oxygen level went back in normal range and that's how it was with his oxygen level so as of November 18,14 he's on 1liter of oxygen its hard to figure out what he's trying to say what he wants or need cause he's not able to speak but when you truly love someone you can basically figure them out
The home health nurse put a call into Willie's pulmonogist yesterday. So today I'm sitting waiting to here from him. Willie's secretions has been green for these last couple of days. Today is oxygen level drop down a little but thank God its back normal. I'm just going to have to stay strong with Faith Trust Believe and Patience in God.
With the winter setting in and the holidays coming a head I know everyone is going to getting ready for the holidays and if the Lord bless me I'm going to start fundraising events for Willie. I have came up with several ideas thanks to family and friends. So that's what's next on my uganda.
Sunday November 9,14; my aunt came so that we may be able to go to church for the first time since the accident. I didn't thank we was go make it but God gave me the strenght to body lift Willie from the wheel chair into the vehicle. I must say it was a job but then getting him out the vehicle back into the wheel chair wasn't easy either. I can say it was worth it cause we haven't been to church for nearly a year or more. But God made it possible and provided away. If God bless us, I will be doing it all again November 16,14 so we can go to church again. If its not to cold and Willie is feeling up to it.
We went to see Willie's pulmonologist at the end of October. Since Willie is doing great by the grace of God breathing with just the support of oxygen he will remain on a trach collar. Now our next goal us to remove him completely off the oxygen if possible. He started on 8 litters back in April but as of now he's on 2 litters. Also hopefully I will be hearing what he's been trying to say beacuse he'll be getting a speaking valve soon.
Willie was in a car accident on May 5 2013, he was thrown from the vehicle. He stayed in the hospital till May22,13 then was transferred to a nursing home were he stayed till April24,14 now he is at home he's not able to do any daily living activities on his own so I take care of him day in and day out he's on ventilator, c pcp, trach collar support for his breathing
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Make checks payable to:
Help Hope Live
Note in memo:
In honor of Willie Tucker
Mail to:
Help Hope Live
2 Radnor Corporate Center
Suite 100
100 Matsonford Road
Radnor, PA 19087
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