Any help or direction to who I should contact would be appreciated

[maryotts]

Hi,
My name is Jarad Maryott, I am a full-time working father of 3 sons, who is also in college full-time. My middle son who is 14 years old (Skyler) was born with Spina-bifida and hydrocephalus – He is Wheelchair bound and in adult briefs. This coming June he will be going in for 3-combined surgeries and after he is done the Apartment we live in now will not work for him nor will the mini-van that he has up to this point just climbed into as it has no ramp or lift.
We must either find a way to buy a house or find a better suited home so that his life can be as trouble free as it can get. We are willing to trade in our van we have now or get it modified if that is an option. We are a single income family that makes less than our needed monthly bills are and I have bad credit from medical bills and a rough patch purchasing two vehicles that my son’s wheelchair would fit in from 2 local dealers. I have called all the help resources I was able to find on-line and am always either re-directed or told there is no in-come or help available.
Any help or direction to who I should contact would be appreciated as I am at a loss of how this can be done.
Thank you and God Bless,
Jarad Maryott
503-997-8874
Beaverton, Oregon

[Dodger67]

Firstly is Skyler definitely getting all the Social Security benefits he is entitled to? AIUI there is quite a bit of variation between states in the way the system works in the US.
I'm sorry I can't be of more help, you clearly need advice from someone who really knows the ropes in your specific area.

BTW what surgery will he be having?

[LisaJoy]

It would be helpful to know what agencies/services you've already contacted and been turned away from, so that we don't keep telling you things you've already done.

Since your son is a teen, he may be eligible to be a client of the state Department of Rehabilitation. I know that in Tennessee, they start working with teenagers well before they are 18, and they provide a whole range of services and coordinate with other branches of social service.

[LisaJoy]

You've probably already seen this, but here it is anyway:

http://www.oregon.gov/DHS/spwpd/index.shtml

and

http://www.ohsu.edu/cdrc/

[mcco5543]

call the office of disability services if you haven't already

Definitely call your local Spina Bifida Association chapter. (they've been great help to me)

I got my van through ride away and really liked them.

did you try easter seals, march of dimes....any of those types?

Also how about having a friend do a fundraising event to help you guys out?


Good luck and we'll keep good thoughts!