Down Payment For A New Wheelchair
Donation protected
(pictured: left - Martin Sensmeier, right - Celia Torres)
My name is Celia. I am 20 years old, and a writer and artist. I love dogs, video games, plants, and the art of film production. I spend almost all my days indoors - thoroughly researching any random topic on the Internet, taking care of my plants, or making bead art to sell online.
I used to love going for walks, being in nature, and hanging out around outdoor animals, but it's become impossible recently. I got really sick in November of 2016. I was sick or afflicted pretty often since I was a baby, but this time, I haven't gotten better.
I ended up in a loaner wheelchair, as my legs don't function well enough to walk, and doctors haven't figured out why yet. We also don't know when or if I will walk properly again, especially without feeling sick.
In July of 2017, my primary physician presented me with the possiblity of something called POTS as a diagnosis. POTS stands for Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome. It is a form of dysautonomic function (or dysautonomia) - meaning my automatic body processes are dysfunctioning. POTS boils down to my body not being able to compensate for blood volume when I change positions. I experience extremely high heart rates, nausea, blood pooling in my limbs, extreme fatigue, chronic pain, heat/cold intolerance, and fainting - these are just a few symptoms.
On top of that, the wheelchair I was loaned has turned out not to be good for my body. I was told by longtime wheelchair users that I never should have had to use it for as long as I have. It is heavy, causes my hips and hands to hurt, it is hard to push, is starting to break down, and generally makes life so difficult I can't leave the house.
This month (October 2017), I was approved for a custom ultralight wheelchair. It has many accessories to aid me in daily life, reduce my fatigue, and will greatly increase my independence. I would be able to leave the house, especially by myself.
The big issue stopping me from getting this chair is the fact that I need to have a $5,555 down payment for my wheelchair vendor to order it. Additionally, I have to do it before 12/13/2017, or I'll have to undergo the approval process again.**
(**I was called on 11/30/2017 by my wheelchair vendor, and the authorization for my wheelchair was extended until February! I would still like to make my goal by 12/13, but it's not as dire a timeframe now!)
I simply do not have that money. I cannot work because I am disabled. I am asking you for help. I want to have mobility. I want to enjoy my life as a young woman, not as a sick person trapped in bed. Even just a few dollars helps. Thank you for your time.
— Celia
-- Breakdown --
The wheelchair:
Rogue XP from Ki Mobility
One of the accessories:
Twion Power Assist
(You can put the link in Google Translate.)
And a video.
If my goal is completed:
$4,922.05 of the funds raised will go to the actual wheelchair + accessories.
$555 will go to a special application to control a power assist on the wheels of the chair.
Any remaining or extra funds will be promptly donated to Dysautonomia International, an organization that exists to help persons suffering from dysautonomia. http://www.dysautonomiainternational.org/
My name is Celia. I am 20 years old, and a writer and artist. I love dogs, video games, plants, and the art of film production. I spend almost all my days indoors - thoroughly researching any random topic on the Internet, taking care of my plants, or making bead art to sell online.
I used to love going for walks, being in nature, and hanging out around outdoor animals, but it's become impossible recently. I got really sick in November of 2016. I was sick or afflicted pretty often since I was a baby, but this time, I haven't gotten better.
I ended up in a loaner wheelchair, as my legs don't function well enough to walk, and doctors haven't figured out why yet. We also don't know when or if I will walk properly again, especially without feeling sick.
In July of 2017, my primary physician presented me with the possiblity of something called POTS as a diagnosis. POTS stands for Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome. It is a form of dysautonomic function (or dysautonomia) - meaning my automatic body processes are dysfunctioning. POTS boils down to my body not being able to compensate for blood volume when I change positions. I experience extremely high heart rates, nausea, blood pooling in my limbs, extreme fatigue, chronic pain, heat/cold intolerance, and fainting - these are just a few symptoms.
On top of that, the wheelchair I was loaned has turned out not to be good for my body. I was told by longtime wheelchair users that I never should have had to use it for as long as I have. It is heavy, causes my hips and hands to hurt, it is hard to push, is starting to break down, and generally makes life so difficult I can't leave the house.
This month (October 2017), I was approved for a custom ultralight wheelchair. It has many accessories to aid me in daily life, reduce my fatigue, and will greatly increase my independence. I would be able to leave the house, especially by myself.
The big issue stopping me from getting this chair is the fact that I need to have a $5,555 down payment for my wheelchair vendor to order it. Additionally, I have to do it before 12/13/2017, or I'll have to undergo the approval process again.**
(**I was called on 11/30/2017 by my wheelchair vendor, and the authorization for my wheelchair was extended until February! I would still like to make my goal by 12/13, but it's not as dire a timeframe now!)
I simply do not have that money. I cannot work because I am disabled. I am asking you for help. I want to have mobility. I want to enjoy my life as a young woman, not as a sick person trapped in bed. Even just a few dollars helps. Thank you for your time.
— Celia
-- Breakdown --
The wheelchair:
Rogue XP from Ki Mobility
One of the accessories:
Twion Power Assist
(You can put the link in Google Translate.)
And a video.
If my goal is completed:
$4,922.05 of the funds raised will go to the actual wheelchair + accessories.
$555 will go to a special application to control a power assist on the wheels of the chair.
Any remaining or extra funds will be promptly donated to Dysautonomia International, an organization that exists to help persons suffering from dysautonomia. http://www.dysautonomiainternational.org/
Organizer
Theio Wildrose
Organizer
Fairbanks, AK
