Jennifer Powell

Please Help Me Regain My Independence by Modifying my Car and Assisting with my Disability Driving Classes

Hi, My name is Jennifer Powell, and I am a 40 year old wife, mother of two, and a registered nurse who was diagnosed with Cauda Equina Syndrome. On March 26, 2018, I underwent what was supposed to be a minimally invasive Lumbar fusion. Unfortunately, there was a complication during the surgery and I lost the ability to move my legs. After 8 weeks of intensive acute rehab, and months of outpatient therapy, I am able to walk short distances with the assistance of ankle braces and a walker or crutches. I use a wheelchair for longer distances, as I tire easily. I have not regained the ability to move my right ankle enough to be without the stiff AFO brace when I walk or to be able to move it fast enough to be able to drive. I have been having to rely on friends, family, and Uber to get places, which can be costly, as well as complicated to set up at times.

I was an active person prior to my surgery. I was actively involved in both of my children’s lives, being a part of PTA, following my son’s journey while in Cub scouts, being a part of the Parent committee at my daughter’s daycare, and attending tae kwon do classes for exercise. I worked as a utilization nurse/hospital transition coordinator for a local insurance company, and enjoyed seeing my patients in the hospital. I also attended a mothers group at a local church.

I have contacted a local hospital for their disability driving class. The class itself is not covered by insurance, as it is felt to be a luxury, not a necessity. The class itself is composed of two parts: testing my mental and physical abilities in a classroom, and then in the car training.
The staff noted that the first two classes are $200 a piece, and any additional class after that will be $150, and the usual person needs at least 4 classes to become familiar with the controls. This cost doesn’t include any modifications to my car, which I am not sure how much it will be. Thankfully, I can walk, and shouldn’t need any ramps added to my car, just needing hand controls. Then, after my car is modified and I have completed the class, I will need to redo the driving test. I have contacted the State to assist, but they are unable to assist me before I have returned to work. Unfortunately, I have lost my job due to my disability. To be able to return to work (even for an at home position), I would need to be able to interview, as well as complete whatever training a new employer would require, which would not be possible without my ability to drive first.

Your donations will be used to help modify my minivan with hand controls, as well as assist in offsetting the cost of the disability driving course and any other fees to regain my ability to drive. Donations to Help Hope Live will help ease the financial burden of this as well as help me regain some of my independence by being able to drive.

I have chosen to fundraise for Help Hope Live in part because Help Hope Live assures fiscal accountability of funds raised and tax deductibility for contributors. Contributors can be sure donations will be used to pay or reimburse medical and related expenses. To make a tax-deductible donation to this fundraising campaign, click on the Give button.

For more information, please contact Help Hope Live at 800.642.8399.