Every single grant recipient has a story to tell: an unexpected accident that changed the course of their life; struggles with insurance companies or MediCal; new challenges upon their return home, like accessing the bathroom through a too-narrow doorway or being unable to get the assistive devices needed to return to work.

That's why Hospital to Home provides need-based grants. As if the hurdles of managing a new life with paralysis weren't enough, there's beaurocracy, budgetary constraints and the challenges of every day living with SCI.

2007 Grants, as of July 1st:

• Robert T. received money for a laptop computer and occupational therapy job retraining. He's working towards being a computer technician and there's no way his SCI will stop him. In addition, we provided him with the funds for a gym membership so that he can continue to regain his strength.
  
  
• Cain C., who sustained his SCI in a shooting, got the money he needed for an accessible van. He's taking driving classes and working every day towards greater independence.
  
• After a serious fall, we met Tony R. at an in-service at Sharp Memorial. We gave him a grant for caregiving, transportation and a manual wheelchair. The power chair provided by his insurance just couldn't make it through the narrow doorways in his house.
  
• Read grant recipient Christine M.'s story below:

Meet Christine M. She was a passenger in an SUV that rolled. Although Christine was wearing a seatbelt, she was gravely inured and spent four months in the hospital. Her parents, Jeanie and Jim from Sacramento, slept in her room or in their van in the hospital parking lot. After countless surgeries and difficult rehabiliation, Christine returned to her home Chula Vista.

Her greatest challenge was getting into a car. Already traumatized by her accident, the daily transfer from her wheelchair to the car was painful and cumbersome. Remember that Christine is quadraplegic and, at the time, had little arm or torso control. Her parents would lift her into an office chair with wheels, push her out to the car (a scary and bumpy ride over the step into the garage) and then lift her into the car where she never felt fully supported or secure. When we heard about her daily ordeal, we knew we had to to help.

First, we referred Christine to a company that builds free ramps.

Then, through our Hospital to Home grant program, we gave her the money to purchase a Bruno Turny – a $7,500 specialized car seat that rotates and slides in and out of the car, allowing Christine seamless transfers from her wheelchair to the vehicle. Finally, a lift was installed in the back of her car to transport her heavy power wheelchair.

Now, Christine can travel to and from rehabilitation, the mall, the movies, dinner wih friends and anywhere else without a team of people to help lift and move her. She feels safe and secure. She'd like to return to college and plans to study universal design, an approach to the design of homes, products and services that can be used by everyone regardless of age, disability or circumstances.

With her increased attendance at rehabilitation, Christine has significant return of movement and strength in her torso and upper arms. She'll be moving to a manual wheelchair and greater independence in the next few months. She says that she couldn't have done it without Hospital to Home. We think all the credit goes to her.

We can't think of a better reason to keep raising money for San Diegans with SCI. If you'd like to help, please send us a check or donate online here.