Hi, I'm Alicia; an author, a mum and a new wheelchair user.

I never expected to call myself a wheelchair user, but I suppose no one ever does. Some of us have had our wheels all our lives, some of us come to them later, through accident or illness. I'm the latter.

In May 2024 I had a rather minor accident in my office at work, but nothing so serious that I needed hospital treatment or stitches. I cleaned it up and limped on, thinking it would heal in a few days. Unfortunately it didn't.

What we didn't know at the time, was that I'd crushed the nerve branches in my right ankle, at the base of my shin. Over the following months, I found it increasingly painful and difficult to walk and stand. Scans and tests by four different consultants and doctors at three seperate hospitals proved inconclusive.

By April 2025, I was missing out on life. Family trips to the park, catching up with friends, entire days of work because the pain was too high and I had no other way to get around.

With no end in sight, my doctors were struggling to explain what was causing the swelling, the temperature changes, the strange colour pattern, the epic pain spikes up the side of my shin. Pain medication dosed as high as it could safely go, I gave in and bought a second-hand temporary wheelchair. I hoped it would be temporary, but it wasn't.

I've now been diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome due to nerve injury. It's a rare and poorly understood condition that presents in a variety of ways. It's manageable, but not curable.

At present, I'm an ambulatory wheelchair user - someone who can walk short distances, but needs a wheelchair for anything more. I say at present, because CRPS can be progressive and at times aggressive. At its most serious, it can cause skin thinning and breakdown, resulting in wounds that won't heal, infection and amputation.

How has CRPS impacted my life?

I'm currently 16 weeks into a 26 week wait for an NHS wheelchair assessment, where a decision will be made about how much funding I'll get for a custom chair, built for my needs and my body. If the chair offered to me isn't suitable, I can opt to ask for a voucher, however I've been told that offer could be as low as £200, which isn't enough to cover £2,500 for a fully customised chair, or any attachments I need.

The problem with off-the-shelf wheelchairs, is while they serve a purpose, they only come in standard shapes and sizes. They can't be customised for long legs or arms (like mine), or wider or narrower hips. The foot plates are a standard configuration, and they aren't generally designed to be used everyday by people who have, or had, active lifestyles. They lack some of the features that make custom chairs easier to push, and reduce joint fatigue on the shoulders and hands.

Custom chairs are expensive too. Even some manual/push chairs can put you back the same amount as a small car .

Mobility equipment invariably comes with other associated costs, like a car big enough to carry the chair, battery powered attachments to help over uneven ground or luggage attachments so you can move a suitcase and push your chair at the same time. I've been so fortunate to benefit from the donation of some used gear that has changed my life. All I need now, is the final chair.

To do that, I need your help.

Your help will allow me to spend more time with my family, to have the independence to get out of the house, and better manage my condition. With a new chair, I might even be able to return to archery, a sport I love and miss so much.

I've included some FAQ's below, to make sure I'm transparent about what any raised funds will be spent on.

What will funds be spent on?

What would any left over funds be spent on?

Am I eligible for help from other sources?

Any funds raised would go directly to helping me regain my independence and manage this debilitating condition. Anything you can give would be so greatly appreciated!