Disability Equipment for Teresa - a Kiwi living in Australia (Not eligible for Government funding)

I was left paralysed in my left leg from a failed spinal cord stimulator surgery in September. I now feel ready to ask for help in purchasing all the disability equipment I so desperately need. This includes a prescription wheelchair, exercise equipment, mobility frame, wheelchair hoist to lift my chair into the car, back support and specialised seating for pain management and an add on e-power assist unit which will attach to my wheelchair to help power the chair when I need assistance for the times the pain gets too much or if my back locks up (so I won't get stuck anywhere!). I’ve purchased a mobility scooter so I can still have a way to ‘walk’ my dogs and do groceries.

I currently only have one temporary ramp into my house as I’ve been advised building ramps will be a few thousand. Having a purpose built ramp will give me ease of accessibility in and out of my own home.

When I left hospital I had to organise my own equipment and home modifications, most of which I hired. I live alone with my two beautiful dogs, 38 years old and very independent (single) with all family in New Zealand. I am not eligible for NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme) or government support at all. I’ve been forced to close my business as I’ve sadly had to give up hairdressing.

This all started when...
I wanted to give myself more quality of life as I was suffering with chronic pain from a broken back after being hit by a car while cycling in 2016. In 2021 I was offered a spinal cord stimulator device implant surgery to help block the constant pain. The surgery went ahead 20th September 2021.

I was woken out of surgery halfway through to hear the words "I'm so sorry Teresa, I've struck your spinal cord" from the specialist performing my surgery.

Immediately my left waist down to my foot was a dead weight with no movement at all. An MRI later confirmed the dural sac was pierced and the spinal cord itself was struck in the T10/11/12 area. I had spinal cord fluid leaking causing unbearable pain so I had to be kept continuously flat in the hospital bed for two weeks straight including eating, bathing and toileting until another two painful procedures were performed to seal the leak. Only then could I slowly sit up 20 degrees at a time over the next several days. I spent almost 3 months in hospital, ended up with DVT in both legs and worked every day to rehabilitate, learning how to walk again and doing everything I could to help regain my strength.

My diagnosis is T10 incomplete, Brown-sequard syndrome. It's been explained to me that my leg muscles will continue to deplete, along with bone density and osteoporosis is sure to come. There are many medical side effects to paralysis including mixed signals to the brain so I often feel like my foot is frozen or on fire and there is always a degree of muscle spasming. The new chronic pain levels I now have are debilitating and relentless over the site of paralysis. Far worse than before,

A formal investigation is underway to identify how this happened. It can take years to go through this process, so in the meantime I’m left to cover all my medical costs myself. I have already purchased a number of mobility and rehabilitation aids and I have ongoing medical costs such as pain specialists. My regular medications alone cost $350 every month.

Any contribution towards my goal will go towards making a huge difference in the quality of my life.