Taylor Tobin

Family and friends of Taylor Tobin are raising money for the nonprofit Help Hope Live to fund a much needed, new to her, handicap accessible vehicle. Taylor has chosen to fundraise with Help Hope Live funds because donations are tax deductible for contributors, and all money raised will only be used to cover the extremely high cost of accessible equipment like a gently used wheelchair accessible vehicle and the high percetage of her wheelchair that insurance does not cover.

See below to read the full story!

My name is Taylor, and I am fundraising for a handicapped accessible van. Having my own transportation is the key to determining whether I can continue living independently, keep the job I love, continue making my own money and maintain my freedom and autonomy. Many people in this economy do not own cars yet can maintain very normal routines through the use of services such as Lyft/Uber/city transportation. However, as someone who is completely wheelchair bound, I do not have other reasonable options, especially in a city where winters can be snow packed and cold.

I became paralyzed on an icy highway at 18 years old in February of 2006. An accident that left my back broken so severely that, even with screws and rods placed by the top surgeons in the country, the hardware eventually fatigued, weakened, and broke time after time. Each time this happens, I again have to undergo more surgeries and hospital stays. The most recent and longest stretch was an 8+ month long stay in at the largest Hospital in Denver in 2022. During that time, I was in and out of the Neuro ICU and underwent more than 7 surgeries. My team of surgeons were finally able to stabilize my back by surgically placing an extensive amount of hardware, as well as placing me on lifelong medications. To give you some idea of the cost of my care, the new medication I was placed on for life in 2022 is roughly $16,000 per month. The doctors have told me that without it, my health will almost certainly relapse and once again my hardware will very likely fail. I have endured many surgeries over the years in different hospitals and different states, but this last one was by far of the toughest hospitalizations I have ever had to recover from. The main way I regained my sanity and independence was being able to return to a job that I love.

Following the accident in 2006 I received a donated van, a gift that changed my life. It allowed me to once again find independence, finish college, earn my degree, and continue working in the medical field. I am still working in the medical field, and for the past 10 years at a position I love at a hospital in Denver. I cannot even tell you how much having a job to go to helped me recover. Many people with disabilities rely on social security and Medicaid, but I’ve always pushed myself to stay employed, stay independent, and stay connected to the world around me. Having a job, being a productive member of society, being able to help others, stay connected, having that routine not only allows me to support myself financially but also keep my sanity. The psychological benefits I have gotten from the routine of staying employed full time, getting out of the house, making connections with coworkers and patients cannot be overstated; it keeps me connected to the world and mentally healthy. I do not use any state or federal programs; I work hard to pay my own way and stay a contributing member of society. I have prided myself on never being anything less than independent, however now, with the cost of accessible vehicles, equipment, and healthcare, I now must swallow some of my pride, and ask for help.

That donated van has carried me through every chapter of my adult life since my accident at 18 over 20 years ago. But now, that donated van at the end of its life; I’ve done many, many repairs to keep it running, however it is so old they no longer make parts for a ramp that is so outdated and once it breaks down for good, I will no longer have a way to get to work, buy groceries, stay independent or get to and from the medical care I need. Accessible vans today cost around $100,000, which is far beyond what I can afford no matter how hard I work.  Even raising part of the cost would mean the difference between being able to afford the monthly payments and being completely without transportation. I know I’ll never be able to afford a brand new vehicle, but even a gently used one will be upwards of $70,000. This is simply something I cannot do on my own. Every dollar—truly, even one dollar—brings me closer to staying independent, remaining employed, and continuing the life I have worked so hard to build.

Thank you so much for sticking with me to the end; I appreciate it more than you know and anyone even considering a donation means the world to me!

Thank you again and thank you for any support you’re able to give.