Richard Willett

Imagine a healthy, rambunctious boy, just a few months from his second birthday, suddenly unable to walk, lift his head, or sit up. In August 1950, I was that boy. A virus had left me almost completely paralyzed from my neck to my toes. Polio had chosen another victim. Through 12 years of physical therapy, I regained the strength to stand and walk with the aid of crutches.

Seventy years later, I am again losing strength in the muscles I worked hard to recover. The late effects of Polio are taking a toll on my limbs, even where the virus didn’t appear to damage. Today, I use a power wheelchair in place of my crutches to preserve my remaining strength. The difficulty is I need to purchase a modified van to transport the wheelchair.

Family and friends are raising money for the nonprofit Help Hope Live to fund uninsured expenses associated with Catastrophic Illness.

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.

Thank you for your support!