Permobil Wheelchair for Erin

Erin was diagnosed with Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva (FOP) when she was two years old. FOP is one of the rarest, most disabling genetic conditions known to medicine, it causes bone to form in muscles, tendons, ligaments and other connective tissues. Bridges of extra bone develop across joints, progressively restricting movement and forming a second skeleton that imprisons the body in bone. There are no other known examples in medicine of one normal organ system turning into another (www.ifopa.org). Erin is now eight years old and her FOP is progressing in such a way a power wheelchair would help her maintain a sense of independence. We are very fortunate to have medical insurance and they approved the wheelchair request. Our policy has a $3,000 deductible. We have satisfied around $400 since the first of the year. We have applied for the balance of Erin's Life Award through the IFOPA which will be around $900. We are also selling her power scooter which we are asking for $600. That leaves us a balance of $1,100. We added $200 to the balance so we can purchase portable ramps that will allow us to load the chair in and out of our mini-van. Once we can pay the remaining deductible, the vendor (NuMotion in Lynnwood, WA) will order the wheelchair. If you are local, another way to help is by following "Team Erin" on Facebook. There is an online garage sale going on and is updated regularly. Any little bit helps.