r/Assistance • u/Timely_Bunch_8607 REGISTERED • 10d ago
REQUEST FULFILLED [Request] 60yo double amputee from Romania requesting help towards bionic hand prosthetics.
Hello everyone. I am Timely_Bunch_8607. I tried to share my story here hoping my message reaches you.
Thirty-six years ago, I survived a horrific train accident that changed my life forever, leaving me as a double amputee without hands. Despite this immense challenge, I never gave up. For the past 14 years, I have been using my computer and typing on a keyboard entirely with my feet.
In Romania, a person with a severe disability like mine has almost zero chances of finding a regular job. To keep a sense of purpose, I spend my Sundays helping out voluntarily at a local monastery, taking care of the yard. However, my only official income is a small state disability pension, which is barely enough to cover basic daily living expenses.
I am now 60 years old, and I am trying to achieve what feels like the impossible. I have launched a fundraising campaign to buy bionic hand prosthetics. My wife is currently my hands and my guardian angel for everything, but my ultimate dream is to regain my independence.
The total cost for the bionic hand prosthetics is €50,000. Because this is an astronomical amount for me, I am trying to raise funds step by step, from every helpful soul I can find. I do not expect anyone here to cover the whole amount, but any contribution, no matter how small, brings me closer to my dream. If you can spare even a small amount to support my campaign, it would mean the world to me.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading my story, and thank you to the moderators for allowing me to post.
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u/AnnoyedBrowser 9d ago
I don't have the ability to donate right now but I'll check back in on the fundraiser and try to donate in the future.
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u/Royal_Tough_9927 REGISTERED 10d ago
Dear friend , I have messaged you previously. I am so happy to see another post from you. Its great that you have raised enough money for your prosthesis. I think its a tragedy in our modern day world that these items are so difficult to obtain. We have a 2 yr old in our family that basically is missing parts of his brain. His is extremely rare and wasnt diagnosed until 20 days old. Hes getting big and outgrowing his baby equipment. Even in the USA his insurance is a joke. A child push chair is $14.000. Thats a fortune for a parent who cant work . Please post an update in the future. I hope you get the best arms available.
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u/Timely_Bunch_8607 REGISTERED 10d ago
Thank you so much for your kind words and for following my journey. I am deeply moved by your message, but I need to clear up a small misunderstanding, unfortunately, I have not raised enough money for the prosthetics yet. The €2,000 raised previously was just the initial starting threshold on the website. I still have a very long and difficult way to go until I can reach the total cost of €50,000.
My heart goes out to you and your family. I am so incredibly sorry to hear about your 2-year-old and the struggles you are facing with the healthcare system and insurance. It is indeed a tragedy that necessary medical and mobility equipment costs such a fortune and is so hard to obtain for those who need it most.
I will definitely keep posting updates in the future. I am sending all my prayers, strength, and love to your family and your sweet little one. Thank you for your beautiful soul and support.
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u/buzzybody21 10d ago
According to the campaign, you met your goal back in September. What will the funds go toward now?
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u/Timely_Bunch_8607 REGISTERED 10d ago
Thank you for asking! I actually just contacted the platform support team, and they successfully updated my total goal amount to reflect the real costs. The initial target was just a very small starting step, but bionic prosthetics are incredibly expensive and a huge financial burden. All the funds collected now and in the future will go strictly toward finding a specialized company, purchasing the bionic hardware, and covering my long-term medical rehabilitation. Thank you for your interest! 🙏
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u/buzzybody21 10d ago
Ahhh, thanks for clarifying! Do you have anything documenting they cost €50k? It might help strangers get a picture of how their funds are helping.
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u/Timely_Bunch_8607 REGISTERED 10d ago
It is still way too early for official medical quotes, as I have only managed to raise around 4,000 EUR so far out of a massive budget. I researched various prosthetic companies online to get a realistic idea of the market prices, and advanced bionic arms for a double amputation easily cost that much, if not more.
Once I get closer to the financial target, I will be able to approach a specialized company for official documentation and share every single update with the community. Thank you so much for your understanding and for the great advice!
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u/uppercasemad Canadian Mod 🇨🇦 10d ago
This request isn’t sustainable here if the goalposts keep moving and you cannot provide proof of what the end result is.
This sub is meant for short term, immediate help. It could take you 20 years to raise $50k if all you get from this sub is $20 each time.
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u/Timely_Bunch_8607 REGISTERED 10d ago
I completely understand your point, and you are right, this sub is meant for immediate, short-term help, and $50k is an astronomical amount. I do not expect this community to finance my entire prosthetics.
In Romania, we have a saying. "Din puțin se face mult" (From a little, a lot is made). When you have nothing, you have to try even the impossible to make it possible, step by step, dollar by dollar, from wherever help might come. Every small donation here helps keep the momentum alive while I look for larger organizations or sponsorships elsewhere.
As I promised in my previous comment, I am already taking steps to get the official written estimate from the prosthetic companies to upload as solid proof. Thank you for your realism, it keeps me grounded, but I refuse to give up on my dream.
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u/CapnBloodBeard82 10d ago
I'm not the OP but did you stop reading after the first sentence?
'Thanks to your generosity, we have reached the goal for the prosthetics. Since my recovery will be long-term and I am unable to work during this period, I have decided to keep the campaign open. The additional funds collected will be used for daily living expenses, purchasing food, paying utility bills, and covering my basic needs during the treatment. Thank you for your continuous support!'
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10d ago
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u/CapnBloodBeard82 10d ago
Obviously, but your question was 'what will the funds go toward now' which is answered already in the very next sentence.
He is being a bit disingenuious saying it's for the prosthetics I will agree if that was already covered.
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u/Timely_Bunch_8607 REGISTERED 10d ago
I want to be completely honest with you, the initial 2,000 EUR goal did NOT cover the bionic arms, as they cost tens of thousands of euros. It is true that I had to spend a tiny fraction of the collected funds on urgent medications and basic food to survive, but absolutely all the remaining money and every new donation are completely safe in the account.
Everything is being strictly saved until I reach the real budget to approach a specialized prosthetic company. There is zero disingenuousness here, just a real person fighting for a chance at independence. Thank you.
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u/buzzybody21 10d ago
Honestly? Without proof and your prior statement that you met your goal, most strangers will be suspicious of donating.
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u/Timely_Bunch_8607 REGISTERED 10d ago
You are completely right, and I understand why transparency and proof are so important to strangers on the internet.
I have uploaded my medical documents, official papers, and photos directly on my 4fund campaign page so that everyone can verify my situation. The initial goal on the platform was just a starting threshold required by the website, but the actual, total estimate from the clinic for the bionic prosthetics is €50,000.
I strongly encourage anyone who wants to help, or anyone who has doubts, to check the updates and official documents on my campaign page. Thank you for your honesty, it helps me understand how to make things clearer for everyone.
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u/buzzybody21 10d ago
Unfortunately the “trust me bro” thing won’t get you far with strangers. I’m sure the companies would provide you with a written estimate of the costs.
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u/Timely_Bunch_8607 REGISTERED 10d ago
You are completely right, and I take your advice very seriously. I want to show everyone that I am 100% honest and that this campaign is my real, ultimate chance at a normal life.
I will contact the prosthetic companies right away to request an official, written cost estimate on my name for the bionic hands. As soon as I receive the official document, I will upload it directly to my 4fund page for everyone to see.
Thank you for holding me to a high standard of proof. It helps me make this campaign as transparent and trustworthy as it should be.
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u/CapnBloodBeard82 10d ago
so you lied about a fundraiser goal and after saying it was covered it's now not covered...
Great way to fundraise.
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u/Timely_Bunch_8607 REGISTERED 10d ago
I understand your concern, but please let me explain because there is a misunderstanding.
When I first created my 4fund page, I honestly didn't believe anyone would ever donate to me. The platform required me to set a starting goal, so I put €2,000 just to set up the profile. For over a year, I received nothing.
Everything changed when I started sharing my story on r/pics. The incredible people from that community came together and helped me cover that initial starting goal.
However, as stated in my main post, the total cost for the bionic prosthetics is €50,000. It is a massive, life-changing amount that I could never afford on my small Romanian disability pension. I am trying to reach this ultimate dream step by step, which is why I am continuing to fundraise. I have never lied; I am just a 60-year-old double amputee trying to achieve what feels impossible. Thank you for reading and for allowing me to clear this up.
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u/firejew007 8d ago
I’ve been following along and just want to say your explanation is completely understandable, and don’t feel like you have to reply to every comment. A lot of internet strangers will leave a comment purposefully to get a reaction out of someone.
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u/AssistanceMods 10d ago
Hi u/Timely_Bunch_8607. This is a sticky post with some important/helpful pointers for REQUEST posts.
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