An Electric Wheelchair for Lisa

Hello, this is my sister-in-law, Lisa Cihlar, one of the kindest, generous and happy-go-lucky persons you will ever meet.  Many of you know her as family, friend or face-book friend.  You may also know that she is fighting an on-going battle with Multiple Sclerosis, an autoimmune disease affecting the central nervous system.  She has been battling this disease for many years.  She was diagnosed in 1990 and through perseverance and determination worked as a library director until 2008 when she no longer had use of her legs.  As for her, MS is an expensive disease.  She and her husband Joe, (my brother) have had to do many modifications to their home in order to make it wheelchair friendly.  They have had to purchase wheelchairs, scooters, build ramps, replace their bathtub with a roll-in shower, purchase a wheelchair assessable van in order to get to doctor appointments, etc., install ceiling lifts for access to the bathroom and help into bed, and pay their share of the high cost of the MS drugs that she needs on a daily basis.  And this is just a small sampling of their expenses.

Recently, Lisa has experienced a weakening in her arms and hands which has made it difficult for her to operate her manual wheelchair. She is hoping to purchase an electric wheelchair with a riser so she can continue the independence she has worked so hard to keep over the years.  She was excited to learn that Medicare will help defray part of the cost.

I am hoping to raise about $2,500 for her, to help cover the rest.  The wheelchair and riser will help her keep her independence and allow her to continue to do two of her favorite things….cooking and painting.  Many of you have been blessed with her gifts of delicious food, poetry prompts, photographs and water color paintings which she so generously shares. She has been known to take her scooter and ride down the bike trail located right outside of their house and take breathtaking photos of wildlife and nature, and then share them with all of us on facebook!

Lisa has helped so many by way of generous donations of money, gifts and friendship throughout the years. If you’re having a tough go, she is the first to jump in and say “What can I do to help?”  Truly one of the biggest hearts I have ever seen!  Now I am asking for your help by considering a donation to help her continue living her life as independently as she can.  Even a dollar will be greatly appreciated...every little bit helps!

Thank you from the bottom of my heart, and blessing to you all!

I love you Lisa girl!!