Hello Everyone.
I'm Joseph 'Robert' Waine Dubois.
I live in Salmon Arm, BC, Canada.

Since Spring 2017, I've been living with a spinal cord injury. This was the greatest and most unexpected change of my life. Now, I'm a PWD (Person With Disabilities).

Without an accident or trauma, without doing anything risky or daring, my spinal cord injury simply began as pain in my right shoulder and numbness in my right hand.

The doctors told me that I have Congenital Spinal Stenosis. Congenital means I was born with it. Spinal means the cervical spine in my case, and stenosis means narrowing. The narrowing refers to the space between the spinal disks. My spinal disks are still being compressed.

After two surgeries the pain has not improved. The surgeries have given me osteoarthritis, which I didn't have before and which cannot be treated.

The doctors say that further surgery won't help, as there is only a 25% chance of success. I must learn to deal with nerve pain and osteoarthritis for the rest of my life.

My doctor referred me to our local Occupational Therapist, but she's far too busy to visit me. I've been waiting for a visit since April 2022 and there is still no date set for a visit.

Now my condition is getting dire. It's getting more and more difficult to walk without pain and exhaustion. I often feel faint and have to take breaks.

I would like to get a full-size standing power wheelchair to get around, but it is too expensive and I would need to also buy a converted van to go longer distances.

I currently use two elbow crutches outdoors and on rough surfaces and my convertible rollator walker/transport chair indoors and on smooth surfaces.

I can get by with a folding power wheelchair which fits in my car trunk. That limits me to flat surfaces and short distances only, but I'll be much safer and more mobile. I would need to have two ramps installed so I can get to my car from the house.

I need help to pay for my accessibility needs.

The Jazzy Passport folding powerchair is $4,300 from my local mobility retailer who'll oversee assembly, repairs and delivery. See the manufacturer's website at Pride Mobility, scroll down for a video of the Jazzy Passport here > Jazzy Passport

I've received quotes for a 57-foot outdoor ramp to cover some stairs and a few dozen 2'x2' concrete step blocks plus small ramps to get over my door sill. The concrete blocks are 23 1/2" wide, but both chairs are 24" wide. Quotes range from about $2,000 to $3,500. My favourite quote is for wood, black marine paint and traction grit, @ $2,950. Contractors are waiting for a response. See the slide show above for photos of my outdoor stairs and walkway as they are now - the 'before' photos.

Thank you for your consideration.

Peace and Blessings to you all,
Rob

Learn more about me by visiting my website here> jrwdubois.ca