Hi, my names Chloe and I’m a 26 year old wheelchair user.

In the middle of last year, I developed a neurological condition called Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME/CFS) which, for me, means my ability to stand or walk is extremely limited. Because of this, I use a wheelchair.

Currently, I have a very bog standard manual chair which is heavy and difficult to manoeuvre. Without it, I would not be able to leave my home often or at all… so I am hugely grateful. My wheelchair has made a huge difference in my life so far.

However, because of the above, my partner or friends/family have to push me around 90% of the time as I cannot manage and I cannot travel independently. This leaves me effectively housebound without someone to help me.

Self propelling is very hard, especially with chronic pain and energy limitations caused by my disability. This is why I am fundraising for a power assist to go with my chair :) it would give me so much more independence and allow me to do things that many of us take for granted before becoming ill. Even something like nipping to the shop to get some chocolate would bring me so much joy to be able to do by myself again.

Power assist is a device that attaches to your wheelchair and gives you some juice and power to reduce strain and power you forward when you are unable to. I am looking specifically for powered wheels as I need something light enough for me to handle myself and compact enough to fit on public transport as I have had to surrender my drivers license due to the effect of my condition.

Originally, I had hoped to lease a suitable wheelchair and power assist through the Motability scheme using PIP. After trying a Quickie Nitrum wheelchair with an Empulse M90 power assist, I absolutely loved how much freedom and independence it gave me. Unfortunately, I am currently having to go through the PIP appeal process after a review of my benefits which usually takes a year or longer to conclude. With the current government cuts and increasing crackdown on welfare spending, it has become harder and harder for disabled people to access or keep the support they genuinely need. Because of this uncertainty, I have decided to opt for a more affordable setup that I can hopefully fund a good chunk of myself.

I have been lucky enough to fund a better fitting and lighter wheelchair (an Icon 60, which should arrive in the next week or so) but do not have enough funds left to fully pay for my power assist without jeopardising my ability to pay for my monthly bills and expenses.

The type of power assist I need costs around £5000 and I’m trying to raise as much as possible to cover the gap I am not able to fund. I am grateful for any and all donations or even shares <3

The money raised will go entirely towards a suitable power assist and, in the unlikely event of any surplus funds, this will be donated to ME Research UK whose aim is to fund high quality biomedical research into ME which is a prevalent but highly misunderstood disease which currently has no cure.