Dominick's Donation Page

Dominick Marco Anthony Evans was born on December 26, 1980. He was diagnosed at age 4 with a form of Spinal Muscular Atrophy after a muscle biopsy that was done by Dr. Edward Orecchio through the Toledo MDA Clinic.

Dominick walked until he was 16 years old. He had life saving, Spinal Fusion Surgery on December 17, 1996 at St. Vincent's Medical Center in Toledo, Ohio. The surgery was performed by Dr. Richard Munk, the man Dominick credits with saving his life. After a rocky recovery, Dom got his very first wheelchair in 1997. Most of the photographs on this page show Dom in his first wheelchair, when he had much more mobility.

Dominick is a college educated individual, having attended Wright State University (2000-2003) and Bowling Green State University (1999-200). He has always been big into the arts. He's an accomplished vocalist, with over 16 years of voice training (classical, broadway, opera). He also used to play piano and percussion as well as clarinet, when he had more dexterity in his fingers and hands. He loves acting, directing, and writing screenplays.

Dominick has also been involved in charity work since 1990, when he was Northwest Ohio's Poster Child for MDA. Dominick served for two years as NW Ohio Poster Child (1990 & 1991) and State of Ohio, Jr. Goodwill Ambassador (1992 & 1993). He has raised numerous funds for the organization and worked on countless fundraisers.

After fracturing his tibia in 2002, Dominick became completely wheelchair bound, unable to even stand during transfers. Getting stuck in a lemon wheelchair, which was purchased for him in 2002 by Medicare (it offered tilt (which didn't always work), special seating since he is high risk for pressure sores/ulcers, elevating leg rests, a seat belt, batteries, and a special head rest) left Dominick in a world of pain. It set him back significantly physically, so he needed this new wheelchair he's finally received, only to be told now, it might be taken away.

Dominick has to order new wheelchairs every 5 or so years, due to wheelchair shelf-life and chairs start to have problems within the first five years. Now, with the inability to walk, stand, or weight shift, Medicare is denying him a much needed wheelchair. Having had the lemon wheelchair taken away, if his new chair is taken back, he will have nothing. He will be bed ridden.

Dominick is trying to get MDP United off the ground so these things do not happen to anyone else. No one should have to suffer with a lemon wheelchair for five years as he did. No one should have to be denied a much needed piece of medical equipment like he is being denied. He's in the process of establishing non-profit status. Until then, he could really use your help, himself.

Dominick (and his girlfriend, Ashtyn) make a decent living as full time writers. They own multiple web sites online including Literary Illusions and LI Kids. However, with mounting medical bills, due to the fact that Medicare is lying and saying Dominick can walk (though he hasn't since 1996) just to avoid paying for his wheelchair, the two will not be able to move (to a more wheelchair accessible house) as they have been planning nor will they be able to get the van they would be able to purchase, so Dom can get around.

At the present time, Dom can only get in the living room in his wheelchair. He must use a Hoyer lift to get into his bedroom. Those are the only two rooms in the house he can get into, so as you can imagine, the need to move ASAP is significant. Likewise, Dom is stuck at the house without a van. Public transportation is not easily accessible where he is so he spends most of his time at the house. These would be things the Evans could afford on their own, if it weren't for the mounting medical equipment bills, close to $20,000 for a wheelchair and $5000 for a new wheelchair ramp on their home, since his is beginning to rot.

Dominick needs your help more than ever. He is the type of person who would give anything to help another person who has Muscular Dystrophy, is poor, or who has some other illness or disability. Now is the time to give back for all the good deeds he has done. It's only a matter of time before he will be paying forward all the goodness you have done for him.

Ashtyn has written a long and lengthy article on the situation at her blog, Ashtyn Evans Online. The article also contains pictures of the rejection letter, Dominick received from Medicare concerning his wheelchair. Here, Ash will be posting weekly updates of donations, our goals, and how they've been met, as well as a list of thanks to those who donate to help Dominick. Please, if you can spare anything, consider donating to make sure Dominick keeps his wheelchair.

Dominick isn't giving up without a fight. He is working with the wheelchair provider to appeal to the Supreme Court, to keep his wheelchair. He has also contacted his Senators, Debbie Stabenow and Carl Levin as well as the local press in his area. As of yet, he has not heard back from anyone, though he is determined to keep trying to contact them for assistance.

At present, the goal is around $25,000 USD. You can donate by visiting Ashtyn's web site or through the following donation button. Thanks so much in advance, from Dominick and all of us at MDP United. The Evans family consists of Dominick, Ashtyn, their son, Robert, their shih-tzu, Oliver, and Sylvia, Ashtyn's mom.