Elevated Wheelchair fundraising for my mother
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My mother has been wheelchair bound for 20 years due to GNE Myopathy and has had to be manually pushed around and physically lifted by my father to/from the wheelchair. Unfortunately, over the years, my aging father has been diagnosed with a painful bulging disc (protrusion), had triple bypass surgery, and most recently had kidney surgery.
To reduce physical strain on both my aging parents, we are raising funds to purchase a vertical standing wheelchair for my mother to help her be more independently mobile and to reduce my father's effort to transfer her.
Request for financial assistance
Per my mother's three wheelchair-bound siblings, medical professionals, and the GNE group I'm in, the prevailing recommendation has been to purchase a Permobil brand wheelchair. Unfortunately, the Permobil Power Vertical Standing Wheelchair , which would dramatically reduce the strain for transferring my mother, is very expensive, costing $19,800.
Unlike her siblings, my parents reside in Suriname, where health insurance is uncommon. We're pledging $2,000 of our own funds toward this purpose and will also pay for it to be shipped to Suriname. We would deeply appreciate any financial help in covering the rest of the $17,800 needed to purchase this wheelchair.
More about my mother's condition
My mother, Radica Eliah, has GNE Myopathy, also known as Hereditary Inclusion Body Myopathy (HIBM). It is a progressive muscle-weakening disease. The early symptoms include foot drops and weaknesses in the lower and upper extremities. Eventually, the person becomes wheelchair bound. This disease manifests itself in the prime of one's life and ekes away at one's independence, productivity, and physical abilities. I was eight years old when I noticed my mother started walking "funny" (a waddling kind of gait) similar to my two other aunts and uncle. In Suriname, it wasn't easy to get an official diagnosis of this disease. The medical professionals initially misdiagnosed it as Muscular Dystrophy. Finally, in 2012 the disease was diagnosed as HIBM.
Thank you for your prayers and anything you can offer. My mother, father, and our family need your assistance. We appreciate any help you can provide.
To reduce physical strain on both my aging parents, we are raising funds to purchase a vertical standing wheelchair for my mother to help her be more independently mobile and to reduce my father's effort to transfer her.
Request for financial assistance
Per my mother's three wheelchair-bound siblings, medical professionals, and the GNE group I'm in, the prevailing recommendation has been to purchase a Permobil brand wheelchair. Unfortunately, the Permobil Power Vertical Standing Wheelchair , which would dramatically reduce the strain for transferring my mother, is very expensive, costing $19,800.
Unlike her siblings, my parents reside in Suriname, where health insurance is uncommon. We're pledging $2,000 of our own funds toward this purpose and will also pay for it to be shipped to Suriname. We would deeply appreciate any financial help in covering the rest of the $17,800 needed to purchase this wheelchair.
More about my mother's condition
My mother, Radica Eliah, has GNE Myopathy, also known as Hereditary Inclusion Body Myopathy (HIBM). It is a progressive muscle-weakening disease. The early symptoms include foot drops and weaknesses in the lower and upper extremities. Eventually, the person becomes wheelchair bound. This disease manifests itself in the prime of one's life and ekes away at one's independence, productivity, and physical abilities. I was eight years old when I noticed my mother started walking "funny" (a waddling kind of gait) similar to my two other aunts and uncle. In Suriname, it wasn't easy to get an official diagnosis of this disease. The medical professionals initially misdiagnosed it as Muscular Dystrophy. Finally, in 2012 the disease was diagnosed as HIBM.
Thank you for your prayers and anything you can offer. My mother, father, and our family need your assistance. We appreciate any help you can provide.
Organizer
Minache Eliah Sawh
Organizer
New York, NY