[Diane]

Greetings! My name is Diane and I live in Nevada. I have friends in Missouri who have been raising their granddaughter, Felicia. Felicia turned 18 in October. One week prior to graduating high school in May, she was tragically injured in a car accident where it left her a paraplegic. (I believe it was her C7.) She's due to get out of the hospital within the next couple of weeks and my friends are preparing for her arrival home.

My friends are 65 & 80 and will now be their granddaughter's caregiver again. Today, I begun seeking an adjustable bed for their granddaughter but am wondering does anyone know of an organization who will donate one with a memory foam mattress or offer a substantial discount for one? None of us have money for these expenses. On top of all this, a portion of Felicia's medical insurance will run out when she turns 19 and any illnesses or complications relating to her spinal cord injury will not be financially covered.

ANY guidance will be greatly appreciated. I don't mind doing the legwork, just need to be pointed in the right direction.

THANK YOU!!

[Alin Steglinski]

Diane, on Jul 4 2007, 05:17 PM, said:

Greetings! My name is Diane and I live in Nevada. I have friends in Missouri who have been raising their granddaughter, Felicia. Felicia turned 18 in October. One week prior to graduating high school in May, she was tragically injured in a car accident where it left her a paraplegic. (I believe it was her C7.) She's due to get out of the hospital within the next couple of weeks and my friends are preparing for her arrival home.

My friends are 65 & 80 and will now be their granddaughter's caregiver again. Today, I begun seeking an adjustable bed for their granddaughter but am wondering does anyone know of an organization who will donate one with a memory foam mattress or offer a substantial discount for one? None of us have money for these expenses. On top of all this, a portion of Felicia's medical insurance will run out when she turns 19 and any illnesses or complications relating to her spinal cord injury will not be financially covered.

ANY guidance will be greatly appreciated. I don't mind doing the legwork, just need to be pointed in the right direction.

THANK YOU!!

call your insurance provider IMMEDIATELY. tell them that she is now legally disabled, i think they allowed to extend coverage till shes 21 then.

[Diane]

call your insurance provider IMMEDIATELY. tell them that she is now legally disabled, i think they allowed to extend coverage till shes 21 then.
[/quote]

First of all, THANK YOU kindly for responding so promptly!

Unfortunately, when she was paralyzed, she didn't have medical insurance. The State of Missouri is now providing some sort of insurance but a portion of that will drop once she turns 19 in the fall.

I'm clueless and bewildered. Perhaps The State will provide that bed. I don't know. I'll suggest she call them on Monday, since I'm sure they're closed for the holiday.

Thank you again for your suggestion. It's truly appreciated.

[Alin Steglinski]

[quote name='Diane' date='Jul 4 2007, 06:32 PM' post='35708']
call your insurance provider IMMEDIATELY. tell them that she is now legally disabled, i think they allowed to extend coverage till shes 21 then.
[/quote]

First of all, THANK YOU kindly for responding so promptly!

Unfortunately, when she was paralyzed, she didn't have medical insurance. The State of Missouri is now providing some sort of insurance but a portion of that will drop once she turns 19 in the fall.

I'm clueless and bewildered. Perhaps The State will provide that bed. I don't know. I'll suggest she call them on Monday, since I'm sure they're closed for the holiday.

Thank you again for your suggestion. It's truly appreciated.
[/quote]
missouri is providing her with i believe the state SCHIP, she does not need that. she can get on medicare immediately following a legally disabling occurance. have her contact her local social security admin (SSA) office immediately.

i would like to speak to you live about this
you can do so with AIM alin0steglinski0
or yahoo instant messenger
Alin_Steglinski0

[itsjustme]

Hi Diane,

It is all a bit overwhelming. You need to ask your friends if there are case workers at the hospital who are helping them in any way. Just before I came out of the hospital/rehabilitation a caseworker and therapist made a home visit to assess my needs before I came home.

If the state is providing some kind of assistance right now she must also have a state appointed caseworker with the local wedlfare or Medicaid department and if she will lose part or all of her benefits in the fall they need to be working very fast and very closely with that caseworker to get her the equipment that she needs and is entitled to. You cannot take a wait and see attitude. You have to be very pro-active in asking even demanding.

I understand that thier funds are probably limited but they may have to seek the advice of a lawyer who specializes in Medicaid especially since they are the ages that they are since their granddaughter is dependent on them. A lot depends on the level of their granddaughter's disability but these are the things that need to be addressed with such a lawyer. Too many people do without the things that they need because they don't know that they can get help.

[gsp23]

Also you mention she is paraplegic but you say injury level as C7 which is quadraplegic. Although depends on abilities she was able to recover. Can you double check on what her injury level really is and if she has any sensation below a certain level or where her paralysis starts, is she complete or incomplete? If she is C7 complete quad for example that would make a HUGE difference on say what a T7 incomplete para would be able to work with. Sensation and repositioning strength are some important keys in what pressure relief or special positioning are needed.

[LuckyinKentucky]

Memory foam 2 inch topper on regular mattress works good for me... could be a short term band aid. It's important to just stay mindful and check skin at intervals to see if it's handling it ok.