Help Helen fund a trekinetic GTE

Hi, I'm Helen,

Thank you for visiting my page and helping me on this journey to help me fund a trekinetic GTE wheelchair. Please read on to find out why I need your generous support.

My life has been impaired by Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), which has triggered Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS/ME). The symptoms have been progressive for 15 years but in 2018 I was no longer able to work due to severe symptoms & had to retire early.

In 2021, I was bed bound for a year and my husband had to feed, water, wash and toilet me as I was semi-paralysed.

HOWEVER, I WAS DETERMINED TO HAVE A QUALITY OF LIFE, I NEVER GIVE UP!

The symptoms I experience on a daily basis are functional seizures, (my brain cannot transfer messages back & forth from & to my body), the seizures distort my torso & limbs into dystonia (a paralysed contortion of the muscles), dissociation (my brain stops functioning & I cannot respond to any stimuli around me), dysarthria (slurred speech or inability to form words or speak at all). This impacts my mobility & walking, co-ordination & balance is a huge issue.

The FND in turn has given me CFS (chronic fatigue syndrome), so I suffer excruciating physical exhaustion & pain because of permanent muscle tension & my inability to do the most basic of tasks due to brain malfunction.

This further has a huge impact on my mental health, I suffer from OCD & anxiety & panic disorder, I have lost my confidence & skill set in social situations.

In 2022 I had my first visit to Leuchie House, who specialise in supporting people with neurological conditions. The benefit of regular visits has been exponential in my rehabilitation and respite for my husband too, who is my sole & full time carer. The staff are incredible, suffice is to say I love them all dearly.

While at Leuchie, I had the pleasure of trying the Trekinetic wheelchair, which is phenomenal. It is light weight, it is specifically measured for my own body needs, it is electric so I could be independent and it can be used inside the house and outside. ‍‍

I have been housebound for six years, so I have missed out on many simple things in life, such as, shopping and actually seeing or feeling a product or garment before buying. Going out to socialise has been impossible, but the thought of being independently mobile & with the support from family & friends I could begin to rehabilitate my social skills again & this is immensely exciting!

I have missed out on so many events which mean so much to me, my niece's birthday parties, family dinners, visiting friends, live music, I love going around stately homes and gardens but most wheelchairs cannot navigate different terrains, whereas this Trekinetic wheelchair can, because it can go from home to outside easily.

HOW LIFE CHANGING THIS WHEELCHAIR WOULD BE!

And one of my favourite things that I miss terribly is going for a daily walk with my hubby and our beautiful greyhound Bella. We live rurally & there are so many beautiful walks that I have been unable to do for six years, I haven’t been in the woodlands which are so tantalisingly close. The wheelchair can go off road & keep me safe so I can enjoy country living again. ☘️

Trying to explain to people what I want or need can be difficult at times and the ability to just go and get it for myself with the Trekinetic wheelchair would be life changing. The normal life tasks we take for granted when able bodied have become a nightmare for my brain to figure out, re training my brain is paramount to me having a quality of life where I can see, hear, feel, taste or smell day to day life without triggering seizures. ☀️

Many thanks for listening and hearing my need for this life changing Trekinetic wheelchair, I really appreciate. And my HOPE is with your help I can begin to have a quality of life & independence.

With much love & gratitude

Helen xx