Charlotte's lightweight wheelchair

Hi, I'm Charlotte, I'm 31 and I'm fundraising for a lightweight wheelchair that's more suitable for my needs.

I have multiple health conditions that mean my body really doesn't like me..
I suffer from EDS (Ehlers Danlos Syndrome) which means my joints are hypermobile - my shoulders, hips, knees and ankles dislocate on a regular basis (making walking or moving very painful and sometimes almost impossible). I also have ME (myalgic encephalomyelitis) which causes extreme fatigue with pain and Fibromyalgia (inflammation of the muscles and ligaments). I struggle with my mental health and see a psychiatric nurse weekly.

I take very strong controlled drugs four times a day, to be able to vaguely function.

I have been given an NHS wheelchair, it weighs 20kgs and isn't suitable. It's not designed for someone to be in it all the time, I can't get up or down kerbs and it doesn't fit through a standard door (it's 27"wide) which means I struggle to get in to most places.  This is having a major effect on my quality of life.

Despite being stuck with a very uncooperative body, I'm a Girlguiding Brownie leader. I volunteer with a group of 7-10 year old girls from one of the most economically deprived areas (top 9%).  Helping them learn life skills, make friends and be the best they can. 
I've also been fortunate to be chosen as a Network Coach, with the Action For Change programme that Girlguiding run. I'm helping young women to make a difference in the world, by coaching them to help them achieve their full potential and create a social action change.

The wheelchair I'm fundraising for is an active user chair, designed to be used full time, significantly lighter than my current chair( at 7kg), it's 3" narrower and I can pop a wheelie in it to get up a step!


This chair would mean I could get my independence back, I currently need someone with me all the time to get me up and down kerbs, into and out of places and to give me a shove when my chair gets too heavy for my shoulders.

Thank you for reading this far.. And if you can donate anything you'll have my undying gratitude.

I really want to be able to have a life!