Daniel's Power Chair Assistance Fund

UPDATE

We have met the original goal of $5,000.00 and I am eternaly grateful for all the kind contributions and support. The campaign, with Indiegogo, will continue until October 10, 2012 as per design. I am asking you to please continue to support me.

I live in a temporary accommodation in Cypress, CA. It is not a hadicap friendly building, and I have no way to get my power chair In-to and Out-Of my room. I would like to ask for your continued assistance to reach the goal; I need to move into a senior facilty. There are many in this area, and I just need funds to; have someone move me and inital deposits.

Any further assistance will go directly to; other medical devices (I have the plastic neckbrace that needs pads regulary, and I have a leg brace that needs occasional pading), power chair warranty and the like, costs to actually physically move me and my belongings, assistance with deposits for an apartment and utilities, any furniture or kitchen needs.

I am just looking to have a better quality of life, via this chair and getting into a safer hadi-capable building of 'like-minded'  (yes., seniors) people.

I thank you, everyone, for any contributions I may get. "Thank you!"

"Keep Moving Forward!" 

My name is Daniel Hanning. I am 54 years old and live in Orange County California. I was born and raised in Southeast Texas, Pearland to be exact. I have worked since I was 13, and worked in; Small Business Consultation, Clinical and Home Health Pharmacology as a Pharmacy Technician and IV prep tech, and most recently in Residential Property Leasing and Management.

In 2003 I was diagnosed with severe Degenerative Disc Disease, but did not receive the surgery I needed until 2007. By the time I had my surgery, there was damage done to two nerve roots and my spinal cord. In the five years, since the surgery, my condition has become much worse. There is damage to more nerve roots and now a disc is pressing on my spinal cord. Every day I live with pain and limited use of my hands and legs.

Last November my primary doctor (Dr. Laurence Gorlick of Los Alamitos Medical Center-Pro Health Partners) prescribed a ‘motorized chair’ or Power Chair for my use. I fall, most every day. In my home. Walking to the corner.  Everywhere. I have bruises on my legs, and arms. My neurologist (Dr. Vu) and my neurosurgeon (Dr. Tran) all concur that I need assistance in the form of a power chair. Both Dr. Vu and Cr. Tran have explained to me that IF I take a bad fall, it would be “life changing”. Possibly-Probably resulting in paralysis.

Since November I, and Dr. Gorlick, have tried (desperately) to get a power chair authorized for me via Medicare. Two vendors, and eight months. Each time I am told “Mr. Hanning you QUALIFY for a power chair. You need is evident, but your doctor is the problem.” I have been with Dr. Gorlick for SEVEN YEARS, and he is a physician among doctors. The problem?

• These ‘Power Chair’ companies LOOSE PROFIT on every power chair they provide to a ‘Medicare’ patient. I had a representative from Open-Aire tell me; “We refuse hundreds of patients, each year, which NEED power chairs and “qualify” for them. It is their doctor’s fault.” LIES
• The power chair providers are REQUIRING Medicare doctor to meet the ‘Audit’ Medicare standards INSTEAD of the ‘Authorization’ standards. I know this for a FACT because I had a vendor tell me that EXACTLY.
• Medicare does NOT pay ‘full price’ for these power chairs, and they WANT THEIR MONEY.

I have tried asking family for assistance. Now, I am coming to YOU. My friends. High School friends and acquaintances, and YOU! The GOOD and KIND people out there, on the internet and around the world, to help me help myself.

What I need is the monetary assistance to; purchase a power chair (approx $3,500-$4,000 plus taxes), have the power chair shipped or delivered to my home (approx $500-$600) and I need to have a small ramp built (my building will not provide it) and a way to get it into my home ($300-$500). HONEST, I am not asking for anything more than what I ‘need’ to get the power chair I need and get it home and in and out of my home.

(Since I wrote this I realized that it was not viable to build a ramp in the building I currently live. I have there for decided to PLEASE ask for everyone's continuing support and help me raise at least $7,000.00. This will cover all the costs of the quality chair with high back seat (for support of my cervical spine), and all the costs of; finding a place, application fees and secruity deposits, fees for electric service and all the packing and moving costs. I apologize that I did not think this through, I am so sorry that I have to continue this... and ask for even more help. Please understand, and continue to support my efforts.)

I really have little to give/share. I (somehow) live on $947 dollars a month in Orange County. California. I have no savings or assets. I DO have four tickets to ‘Knotts Berry Farm’ that I am happy to mail. I am going to figure out ‘how’ to do that @ Indegogo. They were a gift from a friend to help with my cause. Other than that, I would be happy to offer to assist anyone with computer problems (over the phone).

Right now, today, I have difficulty getting around my house without falling. I can not walk half a block without (the dragging of my left foot behind me) causing me to have to stop and rest. I only get out of my house; once every two months for my doctor’s appointment, and out on my porch for fresh air.

Having this power chair will open up my home. Allow me to go, without assistance, to; the mall, the movies, shopping, just be outside and visit with friends. It will greatly improve the quality of my life, and help to bring me out of a depression that has clouded my life for the past two years. I will have freedom.

I KNOW times are very difficult for everyone. If you can not contribute… maybe you could;

• Share - a link to my campaign on your Facebook page or Google +
• Tell - friends, family, coworkers, fellow members of your church, social      acquaintances about my cause.