Hi. My name is Kamal, but I am commonly known by Kwiz. Thank you for your consideration in helping achieve the goals listed in the bullet points near the conclusion of this post. Please also consider sharing with others and/or becoming a team member to help further spread the awareness we need to succeed.

In the year 2018 I was shot during an ambush robbery attempt. This attack resulted in me having a bullet lodged in my spine and suffering a crippling spinal injury. The bullet remains there to this day wedged between my T3 and T4 vertebrae.

At the time I was left with no mobility in my lower extremities and couldn’t so much as wiggle a toe. I found myself paralyzed from the waist down and am currently classified as a paraplegic. This traumatic experience has transformed my life tremendously, and I am forced to confront this disability every day for the rest of my life.

Going from a healthy, fully functioning and able bodied person to a paraplegic has been very difficult. I’ve become accustomed to facing new and unforeseen challenges and obstacles daily. I am very blessed, grateful and fortuitous to be alive as it is only through the mercy of God that I am still here with you today.

After being shot I was admitted to Shands Hospital where doctors informed me it was a miracle I survived. One of the bullets had pierced my chest cavity just narrowly missing severing an artery to my heart. Fluid was found in my lungs which had to be drained, but they were afraid to remove the bullet lodged in my spine as there was a high likelihood that any further disruption could worsen the damage.

I leaned on the prayers, love and strength of my family and friends while keeping faith and remaining optimistic. I was encouraged when Dr. Rush, my Spinal Doctor, informed me that he’d found my spinal injury to be incomplete. It was undetermined how much motion could potentially return to my legs, but I was given 70% odds of making some type of progress which was promising. That news fueled my motivation and I fully committed to do all that was asked and required of me for recovery. For the next few years my full focus would turn toward my physical and occupational therapies, prayers and meditation.

My daily regimen consisted of multiple rehab sessions as an in patient at Shands Rehab facility. Then when I was discharged I was tasked to do an assortment of daily at home exercises as well as 3 tough days a week of physical therapy at a rehabilitation facility. If not for the guidance and support of phenomenal staff I’d never have been able to make any strides in progress. With their help I was eventually able to somewhat extend my legs, bend my knee and with assistance even stand or walk with the aid of assistance and adaptive equipment. They were instrumental in helping me in so many ways that allowed me to transition to independence at home. These people had become an invaluable lifeline for me and words can not explain how grateful I am to them for all their service.

Unfortunately, everything comes at a cost and all good things come to an end. As of today, It’s been very frustrating and disheartening dealing with SSI. After some time they were no longer willing to authorize my therapy nor assist with additional expenses. My case manager at the time informed me that due to a technicality I was not likely to win an appeal as I contested to continue getting treatment. I fought with those people tooth and nail, but they took action to discontinue my rehab despite all evidence of the clear progress I’d made. I then had the misfortune of falling out of my wheelchair and breaking my leg. Shortly thereafter my father passed away, my mother broke her hip and I’ve been left to more or less fend for myself.

Sadly to say I was in bad shape and a bad situation. By the grace of God my broken leg was able to heal after a successful surgery and that brought me a few extra months of rehab before being cut. I’ve made so much progress in my journey, but so much more is necessary and desired ahead. Hopefully, with your help, more progress can be made together and bring my dream of getting back in motion to fruition.

In my current state, I simply do not have the financial means to sustain myself. My disability prevents me from finding traditional means of employment and I stand to lose my SSI assistance along with my Medicaid once I eventually do. I’ve made great progress through physical therapy and never lost the desire to continue pursuing it physically but that is not financially feasible now that SSI is no longer willing to cover the cost. Furthermore, my wheelchair is now 5 years old and I desperately need a new one along with the power device to motor it which has also broken recently. I’m also in need of wheelchair accessible transportation for myself which would be tremendously helpful, and adaptive equipment including a standing frame wheelchair to help strengthen my standing and in-home modifications like a couple of small ramps, new bathroom equipment and possibly even an electric sliding seat for managing stair cases. In short, I have a great many areas of need this fundraiser will help me to address.

I believe that through the power of crowdfunding and our collective efforts these lofty financial goals can be achieved. I maintain hope that anything is possible and everything becomes much more probable with help. The legendary Donnie Simpson once had a saying that went “shoot for the moon and even if you miss you will be amongst the stars!”

The goal of this campaign is to raise $50,000 

to assist in:

* acquiring a standing frame wheelchair to be used used for both mobility and in-home standing exercises.

* acquiring a wheelchair accessible van adapted and customized to my needs with a transfer seat in the driver position and hand gear controls for personal operation and transportation.

* in-home accessibility modifications including ramps to my back porch and garage, bathroom equipment for toileting and an elevating stair climbing seat as needed and the renovation cost of converting my garage into a matted exercise room equipped with an adaptive exercise bike to work on my leg strength.

* expense for continuing rehab either at a facility or with in-home therapists

* potential out of pocket medical expenses

* any additional funds will go towards the launching of my official website and non-profit organization aimed to raise public awareness pertaining to issues related to gun violence and spinal injuries where I aim to help others in similar circumstances with resources, guidance and mentorship and the ultimate goal of building free public access rehabilitation facilities for spinal injury victims like myself who’ve also experienced the misfortune of having insurance discontinue authorization for physical therapy despite still having the desire continue rehabilitation.

Through my story I hope to raise public awareness to the horrors of Gun Violence and shed light on the challenges of those victims who have suffered spinal injuries of similar fashion to mine. I aim to serve as an embassy’s for, inspiration, mentor and advocate to this population and become an example to those in similar circumstances who may have lost all hope of getting back in motion. May we all be reminded that none of us walks alone and I’ve often stated “every second is a second chance at a great life!” For those of you, like myself, who believe in second chances this is a perfect opportunity to donate and help someone else with theirs.

All donations, sharing of this campaign and prayers are greatly appreciated. Your generous contributions will go a long way toward turning my goals, ambitions and dream of someday walking again into reality. Thank you kindly for taking the time to care.

Blessings & Warm Regards,

Kwiz

www.Kwizmatix.ink

#ThinkKwiz #BackInMotion #TeamKMX. #FundingSpinalInjuryRecovery #GiveAF #KwizKARES