Contrary to popular belief, insurance does NOT cover all injury-related expenses. As an injured individual, you will be responsive for massive out-of-pocket medical expenses year after year for the rest of your life.

If someone you love is living with a spinal cord injury, or if you are thinking about fundraising for your own injury-related needs, this information will help you make the most of our unique nonprofit fundraising support system.

How expensive is a spinal cord injury?
The estimated lifetime cost of a spinal cord injury is between $1.5 million and $4.5 million or more assuming you are 25 at the time of injury.

Costs typically depend on level of injury. A C1-C4 spinal cord injury can cost over $1 million in the first year alone and over $180,000 in subsequent years.

How much will my medical and related needs cost?
Based on the bills that clients submit to us for payment through the funds they raise, here are some estimates.

Modifying your home so it is accessible: $5,000 to $380,000

A modified vehicle that you can travel in or drive: $35,000 to $56,000

One year of physical rehab, typically not covered by insurance after a set period: $20,000 to $38,000

An aide or caregiver to help you at home for a year: $65,000

A power wheelchair: $26,000 or more

What other costs will I need to cover?
You may want to raise funds to help offset the cost of health insurance premiums and co-pays, medication, travel and relocation for medical treatment, medical equipment and supplies for your home or experimental treatments.

How can HelpHOPELive help?
We believe that while the costs of a spinal cord injury are high, living an independent, mobile and fulfilling life after injury is priceless. No one should be limited in what they can experience because of the costs associated with a spinal cord injury. We can help you fundraise for your own medical and related needs or the needs of a loved one living with a catastrophic injury.

We provide one-on-one fundraising help, a customizable online donation page and tax deductible, accountable fundraising that won’t jeopardize your medical coverage.

How is what we do different from sites like GoFundMe and YouCaring? Here’s a chart you can use to better understand our advantage over crowdfunding platforms.

Click to learn how you can start fundraising for yourself or someone you love today.

Guest Blog from HelpHOPELive