Mobility and Freedom for Iris

Iris is a fighter who needs some heroes, friends who will stand in her corner, not with hand outs, but offering her a hand up.

Iris became a paraplegic in a motor vehicle accident leaving her with paralysis from the waist down. She has had many wound intervention surgeries resulting from the original injury.

Iris struggles with substantial pain attributed to her injury as well as from the injuries she has endured from physical violence. To be able to be free from physical and emotional trauma Iris needs assistance to help her purchase a safe and dependable car. Her present vehicle is quickly becoming undependable and more so, unsafe for her to use jeopardizing her health further.

Because of her paralysis, Iris suffers from skin integrity issues that cause her to develop pressure sores (not unlike those that killed Christopher Reeves). Iris must transfer to the van floor, then struggle to load her wheelchair. Once inside, she must then pull herself across the floor and into the driver seat. Iris must repeat this on an ongoing basis, attending doctors appointments, grocery shopping and regular wound care clinics. Her own vehicle is her only way to get to a lake where she can exercise and find some personal solitude. Each instance where she needs to use her van is only adding to ongoing wound issues and tissue trauma.

Iris has tried everything to be in control of her situation but just cant do this alone. Iris has an extended family all of whom are unable to assist her. She is determined to go it alone but with assistance, she will see a better quality of life and live independently.

In a world filled with need, Iris doesn't wish for glamorous living or hand outs, but the generosity of others will give her a hand up and boost her self esteem to believe in herself as she struggles in her daily life. A car rather than a van allows her freedom from the risk of further skin injuries. Iris doesn't ask for a new car, she had found a used car that is equipped with hand controls allowing her independence. The kind of independence we all take for granted.

I will be the first to donate and if you are at all able, I pray you will join with me to make a real difference in one very special woman's life. None of us can fix the worlds problems alone but we can come together to brighten the world of one.

I thank you and thank you on behalf of Iris for your consideration and generosity.