April Needs Wheelchair Customization
Donation protected
Hi! I'm April! I am getting a new power wheelchair after 25 years of using hand me down manual chairs or Frankenstein's monster chairs. (You know the kind.... you buy a cheap chair then use any parts you can salvage from old chairs, some duct tape, and a few "mods" to make it at least somewhat functional so you don't fall out.) I have Spinal Muscular Atrophy which means my power chair needs a lot of extra technology to compensate for health concerns. The insurance is covering most of that but there are a lot of things that could make my life way way better that isn't a "medical necessity" so here I am.
I am trying to cover the cost of seat elevation and Bluetooth technology and this is why:
Seat elevation: I know that it seems trivial to want to be taller in your wheelchair. I promise it's not just because I am tired of being butt tall (although I think that is reason enough) I actually want it to make transferring in and out of my chair easier and to actually be able to see things. Transferring is okay at home but anytime we go anywhere (including the hospital every 4 months) it's harder to lift me from a lower height to a bed that is higher. The other reason, I admit, is completely unnecessary. I am tired of not being able to see sights when we go places. Zoos? Railing is it the way of seeing animals. Concerts? Railing! Piers? Railing! You get the idea. I usually demand my elevated friends to take pictures and I just look later.
Bluetooth Technology: If you guys knew me from childhood or high school, you probably remember me mostly on my own (or with Heather). I was insanely independent. Now that has changed. Now, since my SMA has progressed, I have to be within voice range of someone. If my head falls forward, I can't lift it. If I start coughing, I need help. So my old "I can do it myself" attitude took a big enough hit that now I have anxiety if I can't contact someone. I can get Bluetooth Technology added to my chair so I can actually use my cellphone. I can't use my cellphone currently because I can't move my hands enough to anymore. The Bluetooth addon would let me use my phone with my wheelchairs joystick. This means I can text or call someone anytime I need help. This also means I can use smart home devices that need an app. This means independence again. Also, you guys get selfies! Don't that sound fun! (totally joking about selfies.... or am I? =D )
So that is why I am fundraising. I don't like to. I was raised very "if you want something, save up or earn it" but unfortunately that isn't always an option. So if I have ever bought popcorn or cookies from your scout or oranges, candy bars, magazines, wrapping paper, ect from your student and you can afford to throw the $5-$10 into the fund, I would appreciate it. If you can't afford to but you can share it to reach more people, I would appreciate it too.
If by some really weird chance I get more than I need for the 2 upgrades, I am going to use the rest on equipment ect I need to make life easier. Like other things to upgrade the chair, more assistive technology things for independence, or the "April's van will be an antique soon and she don't want to take bus fund" (we don't have buses here) I swear I am not going to Disney with it!
I am trying to cover the cost of seat elevation and Bluetooth technology and this is why:
Seat elevation: I know that it seems trivial to want to be taller in your wheelchair. I promise it's not just because I am tired of being butt tall (although I think that is reason enough) I actually want it to make transferring in and out of my chair easier and to actually be able to see things. Transferring is okay at home but anytime we go anywhere (including the hospital every 4 months) it's harder to lift me from a lower height to a bed that is higher. The other reason, I admit, is completely unnecessary. I am tired of not being able to see sights when we go places. Zoos? Railing is it the way of seeing animals. Concerts? Railing! Piers? Railing! You get the idea. I usually demand my elevated friends to take pictures and I just look later.
Bluetooth Technology: If you guys knew me from childhood or high school, you probably remember me mostly on my own (or with Heather). I was insanely independent. Now that has changed. Now, since my SMA has progressed, I have to be within voice range of someone. If my head falls forward, I can't lift it. If I start coughing, I need help. So my old "I can do it myself" attitude took a big enough hit that now I have anxiety if I can't contact someone. I can get Bluetooth Technology added to my chair so I can actually use my cellphone. I can't use my cellphone currently because I can't move my hands enough to anymore. The Bluetooth addon would let me use my phone with my wheelchairs joystick. This means I can text or call someone anytime I need help. This also means I can use smart home devices that need an app. This means independence again. Also, you guys get selfies! Don't that sound fun! (totally joking about selfies.... or am I? =D )
So that is why I am fundraising. I don't like to. I was raised very "if you want something, save up or earn it" but unfortunately that isn't always an option. So if I have ever bought popcorn or cookies from your scout or oranges, candy bars, magazines, wrapping paper, ect from your student and you can afford to throw the $5-$10 into the fund, I would appreciate it. If you can't afford to but you can share it to reach more people, I would appreciate it too.
If by some really weird chance I get more than I need for the 2 upgrades, I am going to use the rest on equipment ect I need to make life easier. Like other things to upgrade the chair, more assistive technology things for independence, or the "April's van will be an antique soon and she don't want to take bus fund" (we don't have buses here) I swear I am not going to Disney with it!
Organizer
April Dickerson
Organizer
Guys, TN