KITEBOARDING & PARAGLIDING COMMUNITY OUTREACH DONATION FOR SEVERELY INJURED KINSLEY THOMASWONG
For those who have not been informed, Kinsley ThomasWong was involved in a kiteboarding incident in San Luis Obispo County, CA, resulting in trauma to his head and spine. While his prognosis is uncertain, the medical costs and potential future care costs are immense. To be proactive on behalf of the ThomsWong family, several friends have taken the initiative to reach out to the kiteboarding and paragliding communities for help. Though Kinsley has insurance, it is 30% co-pay until a certain amount paid is reached. Further, given Kinsley currently is in a quadriplegic condition, our new revised estimates for current & prospective costs not covered by insurance is estimated at $133,000 (revised Donation Goal). Please refer to the Kinsley condition log on updates of Kinsley's condition. At this stage, we are uncertain if the paralysis was complete or incomplete, temporary or permanent.
We would like to thank the many people who have donated to Kinsley’s Medical Expense Donation account. Both Kinsley and Jamie are humbled by the outpouring of support from their friends around the world. As Kip, Steve & Marina mentioned, there are expenses that will not be covered by insurance.
Some of the items that these funds will be used to finance include*:
1) $9,000 - Adding a Wheel Chair Lift to the Sprinter (auto) to transport Kinsley to physical therapy and Doctor appointments
2) $5,000 - Hydraulic lift to move Kinsley from bed to wheelchair
3) $30,000 - Tongue operated electric wheelchair
4) $5,000 - Renting Ventilators and other respiratory equipment until Kinsley is able to breathe on this own
5) $10,000 - Remodel part of home to accommodate his impaired condition
6) $20,000 (revised) - Other Physical Therapists, Massage, Range of Motion, Acupressure, Energy work
7) $35,000 (revised) - Caregiver who comes in to help Kinsley 5 hours a day (7am to noon, provides nursing duties plus stretching the muscles, acupressure, etc.)
NEW
8) $12,000 (New) - Project Walk® exists to provide an improved quality of life for people with spinal cord injuries through intense exercise‐based recovery programs. Kinsley will be trained and pushed hard in 3+ hours of intensive workouts a day. Jamie will be trained to continue these workouts when we are back at home along side our exercise specialist Larry Goldzman. Training & two weeks at their facility will be approx. $10,000.00 plus living expenses.
Project Walk Video's: http://www.projectwalk.org/index.htm
9) $7,000 (New) - NextStep Fitness is a non‐profit organization that brings the latest in fitness innovation, health and wellness to individuals living with paralysis and other physical disabilities. They are an official member of the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation NeuroRecovery Network. We and our physical therapist will be trained to continue the locomotor (treadmill) training and NextStep Programs when we are back at home. Two weeks will be approx. $5000.00 plus living expenses.
Next Step Fitness Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wWC5Wh4JaI&feature=player_embedded
*We still don't know what exactly insurance will cover, but assume a small portion
Please know that every dime that you contributed will go towards increasing Kinsley’s recovery so that he can join everyone back on the beach chasing the wind. To date, we have received a generous total of $106,836!! This is a generous large step toward our donation goal for Kinsley's estimated immediate out-of-pocket medical costs/expenses of $133,000.
We would like to thank the many people who have donated to Kinsley’s Medical Expense Donation account. Both Kinsley and Jamie are humbled by the outpouring of support from their friends around the world. As Kip, Steve & Marina mentioned, there are expenses that will not be covered by insurance.
Some of the items that these funds will be used to finance include*:
1) $9,000 - Adding a Wheel Chair Lift to the Sprinter (auto) to transport Kinsley to physical therapy and Doctor appointments
2) $5,000 - Hydraulic lift to move Kinsley from bed to wheelchair
3) $30,000 - Tongue operated electric wheelchair
4) $5,000 - Renting Ventilators and other respiratory equipment until Kinsley is able to breathe on this own
5) $10,000 - Remodel part of home to accommodate his impaired condition
6) $20,000 (revised) - Other Physical Therapists, Massage, Range of Motion, Acupressure, Energy work
7) $35,000 (revised) - Caregiver who comes in to help Kinsley 5 hours a day (7am to noon, provides nursing duties plus stretching the muscles, acupressure, etc.)
NEW
8) $12,000 (New) - Project Walk® exists to provide an improved quality of life for people with spinal cord injuries through intense exercise‐based recovery programs. Kinsley will be trained and pushed hard in 3+ hours of intensive workouts a day. Jamie will be trained to continue these workouts when we are back at home along side our exercise specialist Larry Goldzman. Training & two weeks at their facility will be approx. $10,000.00 plus living expenses.
Project Walk Video's: http://www.projectwalk.org/index.htm
9) $7,000 (New) - NextStep Fitness is a non‐profit organization that brings the latest in fitness innovation, health and wellness to individuals living with paralysis and other physical disabilities. They are an official member of the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation NeuroRecovery Network. We and our physical therapist will be trained to continue the locomotor (treadmill) training and NextStep Programs when we are back at home. Two weeks will be approx. $5000.00 plus living expenses.
Next Step Fitness Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wWC5Wh4JaI&feature=player_embedded
*We still don't know what exactly insurance will cover, but assume a small portion
Please know that every dime that you contributed will go towards increasing Kinsley’s recovery so that he can join everyone back on the beach chasing the wind. To date, we have received a generous total of $106,836!! This is a generous large step toward our donation goal for Kinsley's estimated immediate out-of-pocket medical costs/expenses of $133,000.
Other New Expected 2011 or 2012 China Stem Cell Treatment
Generally, a one month treatment cycle costs between USD $17,500 to more than $30,000. The final cost is dependent upon the selected partner hospital and number of injections the patient receives. The majority of treatments cost between $23,000 to $26,000. This pricing not only includes the stem cells and injections but also transportation from the airport, all necessary testing and examinations upon hospital arrival, a hospital room with additional bed for a caregiver for the length of the treatment and a comprehensive rehabilitation program: occupational rehabilitation, acupuncture, massage, electric wave therapy, etc.
Many of us have been graced by Kinsley's selflessness, kiteboard/paraglide advocacy, passion for the ocean/air, and unique jovial spirit.
In particular, the kiteboarding and paragliding communities are considered Kinsley’s extended family. At the same time, we all realize that while we fly or kite solo, kiting and paragliding is a community sport where we have all likely been helped out of a jam by another at some time. Kinsley has elevated so many lives and has promoted both sports passionately, including the annual KiteXpo (Expo) in Pismo Beach. We would like to give back and hope you will join us in our outreach effort by donating to his health and recovery costs.
Contributions can be made by check, paypal or directly to Bank of America. Unfortunately, donations to one individual for any philanthropic purpose, such as illness, are not tax deductable. But, donations are considered gifts and are not taxable income to the beneficiary. Additionally, unless the donation is specified ‘anonymous,’ at some point we will acknowledge those that contributed individually or through businesses (no amounts specified). All other information is confidential.
Thank you all for your kindness and support. We will keep you all posted on Kinsley’s recovery progress on the Kinsley Condition Log and Blog links on website menu.
Marina Chang, Steve Davies & Kipley Lytel