The Chandlers of Wellington Face a Tough Road Ahead
by Gina M Capone
#TheChandler’sNeedOurHelp
It’s been fourteen months since the car accident. It isn’t like before. Now, things are harder, and everyone knows it’s an uphill battle. But there is hope that things will come together, it’s what the family puts their faith in. Donald, Katie, Valerie and Camryn are moving beyond their expectations, stopping to be grateful that they still have each other and an album of the old with a fresh look toward the new.
Valerie was a normal teenager, playing soccer and volleyball, riding her bike and skateboard. She was building friendships, poised to grow into her adolescence. But everything changed in one moment, and with a spine injury, the family is assessing their needs a year later. How can the family advance in the best way for the long haul? How can they make sure Valerie can thrive with her disability?
Soon to enter high school, Valerie is the oldest daughter of Katie and Donnie. Her younger sister, Camryn misses the way they used to be, playing sports and having fun, like a normal budding family. She misses being able to do things with her big sister, who spends a majority of her time in therapy and at appointments at the doctor’s office, now that she is paralyzed and in a wheelchair.
The family has been in a rental accommodation for the last year because their house would not accommodate Valerie at the time of the accident, so they sold it. But now, they are ready to purchase a house in Wellington, again, that will accommodate their needs. Moving to a new area, outside of Wellington with no friends would make things even harder for both Valerie and Camryn. The family has been an integral part of the Village. Donnie and Katie both volunteer as soccer and volleyball coaches for the Village of Wellington, encouraging and mentoring the local kids. They love Wellington and are asking for the communities help.
They want to stay in their hometown of Wellington, as this is the only home the girls have known. But the lease is coming due at the apartment they are renting and they haven’t found a property yet to purchase, that fits their needs. They want to purchase an affordable home with a pool in the Village. Valerie needs the physical therapy of the water each day, keeping her strength and activity up so she can have a break from living in her wheelchair.
The family needs to complete a remodel to retrofit the property so that Valerie has the ease of growing through her high school years and into adulthood. They want to get the word out to home owners thinking of selling or realtors who know of a fundamental property that will accommodate their requirements far into the future.
The property must be laid out on one floor with 4 bedrooms and 2-3 baths. If they can find a reasonably priced home, they want to find a connection with a local business or businesses, HGTV and Wellington local Robert Van Winkle, Vanilla Ice and his Vanilla Ice Project to help them. If they could get assistance to outfit the doorways so that they are wide enough for a wheelchair to pass through, a kitchen easily accessible from Valerie’s chair and a bathroom that allows Valerie the ease to be independent; the next year may see the little girl thriving, taking the immediate demands off the family.
Valerie needs to use the sink to wash her hands and brush her teeth. She needs a bathroom outfitted to take a shower on her own. Small adjustments that can make her feel much better, and more normal. She needs the freedom to help herself.
The family would like to find a vehicle that has a chair lift for Valerie. Katie must help Valerie, in and out of the car, these days. In the rain, especially, this gets dangerous, when Donnie is working fifteen hours, and cannot be there.
The little things that Valerie used to do she can no longer complete on her own, like picking up an object, or retrieving something that dropped on the floor. So, a generous breeder from Wyoming has a puppy available with the condition that it is officially trained to be Valerie’s service dog. They even have a local trainer that is willing to train the puppy. It takes a minimum of 12-18 months to train the dog who will live with the trainer during this time and the cost can typically run $20,000.
There is a Gofundme page for Valerie set up, to help the Chandler’s move with a little more ease into next year. It is a difficult time for many with the Covid19 pandemic, so any amount will be helpful if you can give them a hand. Gofundme: https://www.gofundme.com/f/trqu3-spinal-surgery
Valerie longs to have the simple things restored that allow her to complete her daily tasks. Since the body can develop osteoporosis, bad circulation and blood clots, besides making the lungs weak because sitting and laying too long is damaging to the body and can cause pressure wounds, it is important to the family to look for ways to maintain Valerie’s lifestyle by ensuring her future. Valerie currently has pressure wounds, and this sets up hurdles for the young teenager each day.
Valerie is doing well with her therapy, works hard, and doesn’t complain. But Valerie is still a child, who mentally and physically must adjust to this new life.
There are many fences to climb. The reality is that the family needs a village to help them thrive, and a world that cares to give a hand. Donald is working two jobs, while Katie is the primary care giver to Valerie.
Spinal Revision is the ultimate goal for the family. But such a feat is expensive, as it is not covered by insurance and not currently allowed in the United States but offered in Greece. So, the family ponders the thought with anticipation that one day Valerie may have a chance to live her life more like it once was, standing, running, moving, dancing but now, the simple things need addressing, like living day to day, paralyzed in a wheel chair.
If you have a home for sale or know of one that would work for the family, Call Katie Chandler at (561) 628-1339. If you have a business that would be willing to help with modifications so the house can be retrofitted for Valerie, please contact the family. If there is a vehicle in the area that would allow Valerie to get around more safely or you and your friends can offer a donation, think of the Chandler’s right now.
Please tell your friends and family that the Chandler’s are a family that needs a leg up. They are a local Wellington family rebounding and building back from a crisis, in the middle of a pandemic. If you are in a position to help, please do in any small way you can. The Family appreciates your ongoing kindness. Gofundme: https://www.gofundme.com/f/trqu3-spinal-surgery