Hi, my name is Ariel, and I’m fundraising for the cost of a wheelchair.

This year I was diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy (which affects the use of my legs and hands), osteoarthritis in my spine and right hand, and fibromyalgia. I also live with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, which causes sudden dizziness and the need to sit without warning.

These conditions have been developing for many years, but in the last 3–6 months they’ve become debilitating. Even moving around my own home is now a struggle, despite using a cane I bought last year.

Every day, my legs and arms are both painful and numb. Writing is difficult, and even an hour at the shops now requires 3 or more hours of rest. A second-hand wheely walker was recently gifted to me and helps a little, but during flare-ups I can’t support my body on my arms or legs at all. And it doesn’t reduce the exhaustion that comes from simply trying to move around on foot.

Recently, I had the chance to try some wheelchairs in store. In just 45 minutes, I felt a dramatic difference:

It became incredibly clear that a wheelchair would give me safe, reliable mobility regardless of my symptoms, and drastically reduce my daily pain.

But as many disabled people know, being disabled is extremely expensive. When essential costs outweigh income, things like medical appointments, medication, and groceries already involve trade-offs. A wheelchair — costing $1500–$2000 plus accessories — is simply out of reach for me right now.

I cried while trying the wheelchairs, because the freedom they offered felt so close… yet impossible to have. And because I had to hand the chair back and continue the rest of my day struggling on my legs.

All funds raised will go directly toward improving my mobility and independence.

How your support will help:

$1500 would allow me to buy a lightweight, fold-up wheelchair I can lift into the car myself, plus a basic seat base and back cushion.

$2000 would allow me to buy a higher-quality cushion that will better support my spine and chronic pain long-term.

Anything above $2000 will go toward other essential mobility supports, like bathroom handrails, a shower chair, or a day bag to attach to the wheelchair.

I’m hoping to have a chair by Christmas, so that during my two weeks of leave I can finally enjoy a bit of freedom — getting out into the world instead of being stuck at home.

If you’ve read this far, thank you so much for listening to my story. Even if you can’t donate, sharing this fundraiser would help me enormously.

It’s not easy for me to ask for help, so if you choose to support me in any way, I am deeply grateful. Your donation will help make a real impact on my freedom and wellbeing.

Big love, and thank you for your time.

Ariel