Hello, I’m Oli! First of all, I wanted to start this with a big thank you for taking the time to read over this page. If you cannot donate, please share the link (no pressure for donations whatsoever)

I’m a 24 year old disabled artist currently studying my MA in Illustration and Digital Design. My disability is dynamic (diagnosed hEDS, spinal osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia and widespread neuralgia) in which I have been using different mobility aids to help me since my symptoms worsened in 2021. I swap between using two knee braces, finger splints, my crutches or my wheelchair when I can.

Over the past year, I have noticed a significant drop when it comes to my health. I am mostly housebound due to my pain and fatigue levels, despite pacing myself and taking multiple medications to try and manage these. I am struggling with leaving the house, especially when I am alone, so I have missed a lot of physical sessions, workshops and a trip for uni since returning in September as it is an incredible challenge for my body. I initially got my first wheelchair in November 2024 in hopes using one would help me get my independence back and have since upgraded to a much lighter active chair, but my campus is built on a very steep incline which is impossible for me to manage while in my chair. If I were to attend my classes with my chair right now (which would save me from extreme pain and discomfort in my legs and back), would have to pay for a taxi to and from (roughly £40) or get two separate buses to take me to the top of said hill - though I still would have to rely on somebody else to get me home. I am trying to build muscle in my arms to make propelling easier through physio and strengthening exercises but these will only help to a certain amount due to how easily my shoulders sublux.

I am currently in the process of taking PIP to tribunal, as they have denied me any support without even a face to face appointment. This could take around 6-12 months to receive a court date. I was hoping to use the money I would’ve been awarded to pay for a power attachment for my manual chair in order to get me to uni independently and safely, as well as simple tasks like getting to the shops to get some food in for myself. This process has been nothing but dehumanising and embarrassing and all I want is to get some of my independence back. In the past month I have left the house 9 times, most of which I had my partner there to help me get out or I had a doctor’s appointment. When I'm alone, I cannot get myself out unless I absolutely need to, then deal with the flare ups taking me back to square one. I have never felt so isolated and alone and after countless months of making do with what I had, my partner has convinced me to reach out for help to get me back on my feet (or better, my wheels!)

I have been researching different power attachments suited for active manual wheelchairs and I have found a charity named Country Corner Cycles based here in the UK. They get their assistive devices straight from the manufacturer which cuts out a huge amount of the price from companies selling a SmartDrive or Smoov. The attachment I have found on their website is a C Drive, a smaller motorised back wheel with an easy access power control to help me with those inclines and trips out! With it fitting just underneath my chair, it means I will be able to navigate the world again without taking up all the space a front attachment would. C DRIVE LINK

This model specifically looks and acts exactly as the SmartDrive, yet is roughly half the price. Buying directly from them too would give me a 1 year warranty to get any issues fixed easily. I truly believe this would help me get my independence back - my spark! I’d be able to get myself into uni, out with my friends, around the country and hopefully to a sweet little accessible job to get myself back and running! The C Drive is currently £1795, with express air shipping for an extra £105. I am setting the goal to £2000 in case of any extra costs towards taking PIP to tribunal.

I would like to say thank you once again for taking the time to read through all of this. Thank you so much for offering me a space to talk and open up about my struggles. If you donate, please drop me a message on my instagram (@olisidisi) and as a token of appreciation, I’ll do you a little thank you piece of art! If you could also share this I will be eternally grateful.

Love and Peace, Oli x