I am a C5 C6 quadriplegic who had a car accident when I was 16 in 1989 in Virginia.
Through the many years of living as a quadriplegic I have had ebbs and flows.
I met my husband while living in Florida and we moved to Fresno, California.
In 2012 I lost my husband who was a paraplegic and disengaged from the outside world somewhat.
I have no family due to the fact I was a foster child and grew up in many different group homes.
Although that initial start in life did not stop me from accomplishing many goals that some would have thought out of reach for someone in my circumstances such as finishing a bachelors degree as you can imagine life has been hard.
Since my husband’s passing in 2012, I have lived alone and other than a caretaker who comes 3 to 5 days Monday through Friday in the morning to help me out I live independently.
Recently I have decided to get back out into the world and try to live “out loud” as they would say.
I have friends that would love to take me out but transferring into a car is very difficult and the friends that I do have most drive SUVs which makes transport almost impossible.
I have done research on transfer equipment more specifically electronic personal “Hoyer lifts” for lack of a better term.
I am on a very limited income as I do not currently work and realize that financially there is no way that I would be able to afford such needed equipment.
I have such a passion for life and there is so many things that I want to do and more importantly places I would love to see that I do not want to waste any more time.
Many people are surprised when I tell them that I have been a Quadriplegic since 1989 and sadly I feel like I have not taken full advantage of the life God has chosen to continue to allow me to have and in gratitude I am now trying to do everything in my power to live up to that gift.
Sincerely Rhonda Williams.
