- Pin it
- SubscribeUnsubscribe
- Embed
Pete Woitkowski hasn't added a story.
I have been in a wheelchair for 28 years due to a spinal cord injury from car accident. This is the result of a bad decision made at age 16 to get in a car with someone who was drinking.
Over the last 28 years I have been very fortunate to have experienced many positive things, met many extraordinary folks, and strived to support myself. I have had many different and interesting jobs in that time and am fortunate to have been employed with same company now for 15 years, not on government disability.
My wheelchair is my mobility, and due to my ever expanding list of physical issues I require a custom fitted, strong, lightweight wheelchair. In order to maintain my independence my chair needs to have some amenities such as detachable wheels, folding frame, adjustable back, etc. Unfortunately after 12 years my only wheelchair, although she's been a good one, is wearing out. Generally Insurance companies will replace necessary medical equipment (such as a wheelchair for a paraplegic), around every 5 years. Also unfortunately after 3 years of beauracracy and many appeals, my corporate insurance company has deemed a new special fitted lightweight wheelchair medically unnecessary for me. Imagine my surprise! I've appealed to them numerous times about my situation over these last 3 years but was repeatedly told that those decisions were made by the 'Medical Advisory Board', these so-called board members of whom I could never contact or converse with about my situation seemed more like ghosts. I've inquired about rebuilding the one I have now but this was not feasible and near as costly as buying a newly fitted chair, which is what I really need as my body has changed in the last 12 years and I am in need of a new/different seating arrangement for the future.
I've lived in my 1950's built home for 16 years without any special handicapped accessibility features except for the wide bathroom door. Now with declining energy and mobility on the horizon, I have been on a 3 year mission to update my house with handicapped accessibility (kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom). This led to many unexpected and hidden structural issues which have had to be corrected. This has cost a great deal more than expected, delaying the project, and leaving me without funds to purchase my own chair.
It is for this reason that I have decided to reach out for help with my cause to raise money (approx $8000.00) for a new Specially fitted TiLite Wheelchair.
I must mention as someone who has worked hard to be productive, self supporting, and staying off the Disability List, it has been a Great Struggle for me to get to this point where I have to ask for funds for something my corporate insurance company should pay for. I also know there are a great number folks of who are willing and able to help someone who works hard and just needs a small helping hand from a number of folks, Any and all donations to my cause will be Deeply Appreciated.
Thank you for your consideration,
Pete Woitkowski
8108 Starnes Randall Road
Charlotte, NC 28215
Highlights
See all activity46Activity
Delete media item?
Delete this item from the media gallery? It will also be deleted from any related story update.
Set as ?
The campaign video will appear in social media and email.
The campaign cover picture will appear in social media and email.
The will appear at the top of your campaign page and in social media and email.
Reset ?
It will be removed from the top of your campaign and won't be used as default in social media and email. The will remain in the media gallery.
Embed
Share a link
Delete update
Delete this story update?
Any pictures or videos will remain in the campaign's media gallery.
Report campaign
Report submitted
Thank you. We take reports like yours very seriously. Our goal is to keep the community safe.
Please know that we may contact you for more information, but that we won't notify you personally of our decision. If the campaign remains available within a few days, it's likely that we determined it not to be in violation of our policies.
Thank you. We've already received your previous report. If the campaign remains available within a few days, it's likely that we determined it not to be in violation of our policies.
Tell us about the problem. Please fill in both fields below.
Record a video
Upload a video
Nothing grabs attention for your cause like a personal video. Take a minute or two to record one now. Record a short video message of support. Or upload one from your device. You can preview or redo your video before you post it.
Nothing grabs attention for your cause like a personal video. Upload a short video message of support. Upload a short video message of support. Or record one right now.
- Most effective video length: about a minute.
- Maximum length: 5 min.
- You can preview or redo your video before you post it.
Heads up! The existing video will be replaced.
Email your friends
Join our team
Tell people why our cause matters to you. Your personal message will encourage others to help. Easy, effective, optional.
Say it in video
Short personal videos by supporters like you are incredibly powerful. Record one right now and you'll help us raise more money. Easy, optional, effective.
Add a personal goal
Set a personal fundraising goal. You'll encourage more contributions if you do. And rest easy. There's no obligation to achieve your goal or bad consequences if you don't. Easy, optional, effective.
We have a video!
Video thumbnail
We'd love to show you our campaign video. Want to take a look?
, you're already on the team.