Christina's Active Wheelchair Fund

Aim

I’m fundraising for an active wheelchair, suitable for a “hand/pedal add-on” to rehabilitate nerve and muscle function

Hello 

I’ve recently been diagnosed with autonomic dysfunction and pots after 2 years of deteriorating mobility, balance and coordination and lots of other physical health complications. I am awaiting further diagnostic tests as it is suspected that I have multiple sclerosis or early on-set parkinson's disease.

I have been issued with an NHS wheelchair which is my only means of getting outside, to vital hospital and other appointments and is also my only means of accessing my kitchen, bathroom and bedroom. Prior to having a chair I was bed-bound for 8 months, but the wheelchair is heavy, hard to manoeuvre and is causing  joint damage as it is not designed for long-term or daily use. It can't be adjusted to my individual body geometry or specific needs and I'm finding it impossible to self-propel as I had shoulder reconstruction surgery in Dec 2019 (after a bicycle accident). Using it has deteriorated my shoulder and nerve function in my dominant arm, leaving me dependent on my carers to mobilise around my home or access the outdoors. My personal mobility challenges mean I need an "active" wheelchair which is not available on the NHS.

The chair I’ve been prescribed by Bristol’s Mobility Centre after a full assessment is lightweight, rigid (therefore efficient to propel) and can be modified and fully adjusted to fit me perfectly, preserving my shoulder stability, spinal posture and reducing fatigue and pain. The quotation was £5.5k, but I have found an almost identical one (in my size!) for sale as an ex-demo chair for £3.2k (including the necessary safety add-ons and personal set-up adjustments).

Prior to becoming physically disabled I was a very active person and spending time in nature and the outdoors was my greatest passion. I used to volunteer regularly for various cycling charities, nature preservation groups, and was involved in helping to build local mountain bike trails. I have recently been going to the family cycling centre which has accessible recumbent tricycles and I was really excited to discover that I am able to ride these! This gives me so much joy and hope that I can once again experience being outside in nature and even get back to some of the activities and volunteering that gives me fulfilment and purpose in life.

The rigid active wheelchair is the perfect solution for me as it will be multi-purpose: Stand alone I can self-propel indoors... and once I get a berkelbike (or similar) add-on it will also serve as my outdoor rehabilitation (and my main form of transport). The add-ons for this type of chair are powered simultaneously by a hand bike, pedals (like a tricycle) and e-power. This will enable me to start to regain and maintain some muscle and nerve function in my arms and legs.

I am also really excited at the prospect of being able to get outdoors and exercise and socialise in nature once again.

As this is an ex-demo chair on sale, I only have a matter of weeks to raise the money so I am asking if anyone would like to chip in any small amount they can afford to help me get this chair and get some quality of life back ☺️

Any donations will only be used for purchase of this wheelchair, and if I raise more than the amount required for the chair, any further funds will be put towards the e-bike add-on. I plan to sell some of my belongings, my artwork, and anything I can think of to contribute as much to this fund as I can myself. I will provide the quotation, and subsequently the proof of purchase, and also update you with photos of me enjoying my life out of bed and out in the world!

Please do share this fundraiser with your friends and family if you’d like to, and anyone who fancies doing a sponsored activity to raise money for this cause would be a total superstar! 

Feel free to get in touch if you have any questions, insights or suggestions!

Thanks so much for your support ☺️

Lots of love

Christina

Update: wheelchair quotation is now available to view in “project updates” 

Update: Berkelbike rehabilitation add-on is now available to view in “project updates”

This project successfully funded on 15th September 2021