Hello my name is Larissa Fairman and here's my story. On February 8, 2024 I got a call that changed everything. I was told my brother had been shot at my grandmother‘s house. In that moment, my heart sank. It felt like the world stopped spinning. My brother has always been the kind of person who would show up for everything , cutting grass , lending a hand or just being there when you need him. To hear that he had been shot was almost too much to process. When I finally visited him in March at Shirley Ryan rehab lab I tried to stay strong but seeing him paralyzed from the waist down broke me inside. I smiled on the outside but every time I left him or hung up the phone I found myself breaking down in private. It’s hard to explain the pain of watching someone you love so much fight a battle they never asked for.  At our family reunion this past August I borrowed a motorized scooter for him to try. At first he was hesitant maybe even a little scared but once he got on, there was no stopping him. He rode around smiling waving and for the first time in months, he looked free again.  That moment showed me how much more independent he could be with the right mobility device. It wasn’t just about getting around, It was about dignity , about feeling alive again and about being able to experience moments of joy without limitation. That’s why I started this GoFundMe to help him get an attachment for his wheelchair that will give him the same freedom and joy he felt that day. I know life will never be the same, but with this equipment he could regain some of the independence he deserves. Any donation big or small would mean the world to our family and help my brother reclaim a piece of his life that was stolen.  From the bottom of our hearts thank you. I asked my brother if he were creating his own GoFundMe page what would he say? His words are as follows. Life is full of twists and turns.  On my 55th birthday February 8, 2024 my life changed forever.  I was the victim of gun violence, a tragedy that not only left me paralyzed from the waist down, but also took the life of my dear friend ( it was his birthday as well). In just one moment, everything I knew was different. I was full of life and passion. I love golfing and staying active, but one bullet severed my spine and I was told I would never walk again. It’s a reality that is hard to imagine until you live it. Simple things I used to take for granted like getting out of bed , going to the restroom, taking a shower, even just moving from one room to another are now daily battles. I’ve had to relearn what independence looks like . I’ve had to face days when I dont even want to get out of bed because the weight of it all just felt too heavy to carry. This horrific event changed my life in ways I could never have expected. It did not ruin my spirit. I am determined to keep moving forward. I know there will be dark days, but I also know there is still light ahead. I’m working to get adaptive equipment, including a special mobile device that attaches to my wheelchair to help me regain independence and quality of life . This equipment isn’t just about mobility, its about giving me a chance to feel like myself again, to enjoy the simple freedom I once had, like moving without needing to depend on someone every second . Through all of this my family has been by my side, without them I don’t know if I could have made it. With that being said any donation big or small would mean the world to me on this journey . Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your kindness, support and prayers.