Help Audrey Walker Transform Mobility Aids: Community Fund

Hi! My name is Audrey Walker. I run the Audrey Walker's Walkers project, aimed at personalizing and decorating mobility aids for those who need them. In 2023, when I was at my sickest and needed to use a walker at 23 years old, I was frustrated with how bland and clinical it felt, so I decided to make it my own. I bought some pink glitter vinyl wrap, fake orchid flowers, crystal beads, and a cup holder and went to town decorating it. I went from receiving weird looks in public to having strangers compliment me on my walker, which opened up opportunities for conversations about my disability and the disability community. Later, I needed to use an oxygen tank. I had brought the tank with me on an outing with my niece and was struck by how fearful she was of the tank; it looked scary to her and honestly, to me as well. I decided to add the same pink vinyl and make custom covers for the tanks. Here's one tank cover I made to match my birthday dress in 2024:

There is a silent stigma about using mobility aids. I am an ambulatory mobility aid user with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, chronic pain, and other conditions. Decorating my walker helped me feel more like a person when some days I felt like I was just an illness.

This year, I got to help my sister decorate her walker as well, which she was very hesitant to use because it felt scary, a sentiment which we both shared: the fear of what it would mean for her daily life, how others would view her in public, and having to face the reality of being disabled by an invisible illness. After decorating, she felt empowered to bring her walker with her and found a sense of confidence and peace. Her walker is pictured below:

I want to help others in the community feel confident like I felt by taking power away from the stigma of a clinical device that feels like one-size-fits-all and giving individuality back to us as those with disabilities, illnesses, or even just old age. I would love to have the cost of supplies and my time covered for individuals who can't fund it themselves. Eventually, I would love to be able to hold workshops in nursing homes, hospitals, with veterans, etc. I have big dreams!

Here's where you come in: some people who could benefit from this service can't afford it on their own. Being sick is expensive and oftentimes it comes at the cost of things we want to do for enjoyment or to feel a little more human again. By donating to the community fund, you can help!

Here's the options I offer to be used in decorating a mobility aid (colors, fabrics, and specifics will be discussed after the client has sent in the request form):

Beads

Flowers/Flower Garland

Vinyl Wrap (Make it colorful!)

Cup Holder/Phone Holder (Clear, Pink, Blue, Green, Turquoise, Purple, Orange, Black)

Double Cup Holder/Phone Holder (Black)

Fairy Lights (Warm White, Cold White, Pastel Multi, Red/White/Blue, Multi-Color With Remote, Purple, Orange, Green, Blue)

Horn (Custom Order)

Oxygen Tank Cover Basic (Handmade)

Oxygen Tank Cover with Pocket (Handmade)

Seat/Cushion Fabric Cover (Velcro, Zipper, or Snap Closures)

Walker Pouch/Pockets (Handmade)

... I also take suggestions!

So, interested in helping? Here's how it works:

1. You've decided you want to help, but maybe don't know anyone specific to sponsor or maybe you want to help make my workshop visions come to life! By donating to this fundraiser, you can cover the cost for a stranger or contribute to future workshops/events that require funds (at nursing homes, for example).

2. Donating to the GoFundMe ensures that you can see what the funds are being used for! I will post updates for our donors to see the good work being done using their generosity. Donations are used on a first-come, first-served basis for the next person in the request queue who requested a sponsorship or to use donations to help fund their personalization.

3. Here is a breakdown of how I determine the total cost of a personalization:

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Walker (Rollator) $25

Wheelchair $50

Oxygen Tank/Cart $10

Cane $5

Crutches $8

Money from the community fund will be used on a first come, first serve basis when a client requests financial support on their request form, which you can view through clicking on the underlined link: Mobility Aid Personalization Request Form

As a disabled person myself, I am hoping to be able to help others like me and also make some extra income, as I struggle to work full time in a traditional job. This project would provide me the opportunity to use my passion to raise awareness, help others, and hopefully help myself financially a bit as well. Thank you so much for your time and generousity. I am so excited to see this project take off.

Contact Me

Audrey Walker's Walkers Facebook Page