Therese Cleary

May 19, 2025

THERESE, A PARALYTIC, IN DANGER OF LOSING HER VAN -THE TIE TO HER LIFE IN THE COMMUNITY     

Please allow me to tell you a little bit about my day to day life and my current situation.  I am a quadriplegic due to contracting polio meningitis at 18 months of age.  This disease also essentially paralyzed my lungs and I have had to sleep in a porta-lung (much like an old iron lung), for at least 14 hours a night throughout my life.  I now use another respirator called a Trilolgy throughout the day and during the night in conjunction with the porta-lung.  I have a tracheostomy which helps me breathe but also requires that I have tracheal suctioning about 20 times a day.  My care is very complicated and requires skilled nursing, 24/7. My sister Kathleen is my sole caregiver.  She is a nurse and she assumed the responsibility for both my physical and financial care about 10 years ago. Kathleen has always paid for my unique supplies and needs. Now, due to tragic and unforeseen circumstances in the last 4 years we have very little financial resources to pay for medical supplies, on going Physical Therapy and some medical equipment.  We need help!

 I am 4’9 inches tall with a very contracted and scoliosed body.  My sister Kathleen cares for all my physical needs including bathing, feeding, positioning etc.  I have a very cool “Z” table which she  designed and built with my brother and nephew which allows me to lay down and read my IPad and even write with my right hand on the IPad using a stylus when I am positioned correctly.  I have a BA from Ave Maria University and I write!  I have published a book about my early years and the challenges, joys and trials I have had on my life journey.  I am currently working on another book based on my journey of faith.  I spend free time reading, writing and praying each day.  I have a customized wheelchair which I use every day for 2 to 3 hours.  It is too difficult for me to breathe if I am up in the wheelchair longer.  We use the handicap accessible van to go out each day. We go to medical appointments, church, parks and gardens, shopping, and visiting friends.  Sometimes we even go to watch my great-niece at her gymnastics class.  I love watching gymnastics!  The van allows me to get out and be a part of the community.

 Any donations will help us to purchase medical supplies, treatments and this used handicap accessible van or put down enough of a down payment to be able to finance the purchase of the van.

All donations to Help Hope Live can keep me “on the move” in spite of my physical limitations.  It is a beautiful world and I enjoy being able to get out into it!  Thank you all.                  

 Our family and friends are raising money for the nonprofit Help Hope Live to fund uninsured medical expenses associated with a Catastrophic Illness in honor of me, Therese Cleary. I have chosen to fundraise with Help Hope Live in part because donations are tax deductible for contributors and will only be used to cover medical and related expenses.

Please make a donation. And share my campaign page on your social media platforms.

Thank you for your support!