Gems Power Chair
Donation protected
As a frequently injured and very clumsy child, who constantly fell over and walked into things, it was always assumed that Gem was just a twat. Regular and repeated injuries like broken toes, twisted ankles, broken nose, and spontaneous fainting were again just assumed to be a "quirk".
In 2013 after a long period of unexplained chest pain she started having steroid injections into her chest cartilage, but again this was never explored, and just diagnosed as costochondritis.
In 2018, after a long period of back and joint pain, she was referred to a muscular-skeletal specialist. MRIs and physical examinations revealed slipped or herniated discs in her lower spine and also revealed a stress fracture to a vertebra. Having had a failed caudal epidural she was referred to Rheumatology and formally diagnosed with Hypermobility Syndrome. Hypermobility Syndrome is caused by a lack of collagen and causes a whole host of seemingly unrelated symptoms.
Some of the symptoms Gem struggles with are;
- Overextension of joints
- Persistent joint
- Muscle pain
- Stiffness
- Swelling in joints
- Frequent injuries
- Poor spatial awareness
- Partial dislocation of joints
- Extreme fatigue
- Degeneration of spinal discs and vertebrae
- Uncontrolled heart rate
- Tremors
- Dizziness
- Fainting
- Allergic reactions
Gem is currently an inpatient at Milton Keynes University Hospital in relation to a recent disc herniation and subsequent nerve compression. She is unable to weight bare on her right side and was relying on crutches to mobilise, which became almost impossible when she sprained her wrist. During the admission, she was told that although a further spinal nerve block will be done, it is highly likely that further disc herniations and nerve compressions will occur due to her condition.
As a fiercely independent and proactive woman, working as a full-time mental health nurse, she strives to do all she can to fulfill her role and her condition is becoming limiting. A power chair would allow her to carry out the job she loves and gift her with the ability to be mobile when her condition is at its worst, without the stress of being reliant on others.
After lots of research and consideration Gem has identified a chair that would meet her needs and let her be herself. While the chair is not the most expensive on the market, the cost is proving to be a barrier and that's where you come in.
Anyone who knows Gem knows shes a lovely person and for the price of a coffee or a pint, you can give her her independence back.
She would be incredibly grateful for any assistance in meeting the goal, which would allow her to live a full and mobile life when her condition is at its worst.
In 2013 after a long period of unexplained chest pain she started having steroid injections into her chest cartilage, but again this was never explored, and just diagnosed as costochondritis.
In 2018, after a long period of back and joint pain, she was referred to a muscular-skeletal specialist. MRIs and physical examinations revealed slipped or herniated discs in her lower spine and also revealed a stress fracture to a vertebra. Having had a failed caudal epidural she was referred to Rheumatology and formally diagnosed with Hypermobility Syndrome. Hypermobility Syndrome is caused by a lack of collagen and causes a whole host of seemingly unrelated symptoms.
Some of the symptoms Gem struggles with are;
- Overextension of joints
- Persistent joint
- Muscle pain
- Stiffness
- Swelling in joints
- Frequent injuries
- Poor spatial awareness
- Partial dislocation of joints
- Extreme fatigue
- Degeneration of spinal discs and vertebrae
- Uncontrolled heart rate
- Tremors
- Dizziness
- Fainting
- Allergic reactions
Gem is currently an inpatient at Milton Keynes University Hospital in relation to a recent disc herniation and subsequent nerve compression. She is unable to weight bare on her right side and was relying on crutches to mobilise, which became almost impossible when she sprained her wrist. During the admission, she was told that although a further spinal nerve block will be done, it is highly likely that further disc herniations and nerve compressions will occur due to her condition.
As a fiercely independent and proactive woman, working as a full-time mental health nurse, she strives to do all she can to fulfill her role and her condition is becoming limiting. A power chair would allow her to carry out the job she loves and gift her with the ability to be mobile when her condition is at its worst, without the stress of being reliant on others.
After lots of research and consideration Gem has identified a chair that would meet her needs and let her be herself. While the chair is not the most expensive on the market, the cost is proving to be a barrier and that's where you come in.
Anyone who knows Gem knows shes a lovely person and for the price of a coffee or a pint, you can give her her independence back.
She would be incredibly grateful for any assistance in meeting the goal, which would allow her to live a full and mobile life when her condition is at its worst.
Organizer and beneficiary
Benjamin Wainhouse
Organizer
Gem Bow Tyke
Beneficiary