Hello my name is Ingrid Schoonover and I’m trying to crowd fund for a wheelchair. I have a neurological disease (Dysautonomia) that affects all the autonomic processes in my body, this means I can’t regulate my blood pressure or heart rate (amongst other issues). I also have a connective tissue disorder called Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS) which makes my muscles weak and joints unstable, so my whole body hurts all of the time.

It takes a tremendous amount of energy for me to get out of bed and carry out daily functions, not to mention I rarely have the energy or stamina to be able to do the things I enjoy like going to markets, museums, fairs, etc. My service dog is trained in balance assistance and is able to help me most days go to a doctor appointment or get groceries, but for longer outings I find myself just being forced to stay home. Other times I will try to push through the pain and fatigue and I end up passing out and causing my friends/family to leave early, and then I have to spend the next few days/weeks in bed recovering.

My doctors have been telling me I should use a wheelchair for years but I have put it off because of the stigma and difficulty surrounded with using one. Most wheelchairs are too heavy for me to get up/down stairs, and I also do not have the strength to use a push wheelchair. This is why I would like to get a powered light-weight wheelchair to support my mobility and allow me to be independent and get out of the house on my worst health days. I’ve done research the last few years and settled upon a company that sells lightweight motor wheelchairs, the cheapest one starts at $1300 and the more expensive options go towards 4k for all-terrain riding.

I would greatly appreciate any of my friends/family donating towards this purchase. Thank you.