Help get wheelchair bound Tash mobile again!

Hi, everyone,

My name is Yvette, and I live in Canberra. I have known my friend Natasha Forrest, who lives in Brisbane, for at least five years. We met through The Body Shop at Home (Body Shop's direct selling model), which is now not in operation. She is disabled and in a wheelchair. She has spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) which means she cannot walk, toilet herself, shower herself, eat by herself etc. She also has PTSD from a previous DV relationship which means that she has a LOT of issues taking public transport.

She relies on her car and her carers to get her places as she is a good half an hour walk/roll to the closest train station, anyway. The 2015 Volkswagen Transport she has has done 350 000 kms and is in need of a new motor. The Volkswagen is modified with a hoist, tie-downs, a ramp, etc, to accommodate her disability.

According to a couple of mechanics, it is not worth fixing the car (approx. $22 000) as it is likely to break down again with other issues.

She realistically needs to purchase a new car, a Hyundai Staria, which is the most affordable and suitable car for her needs. NDIS will fit it out suitably for her disability once the car is acquired.

Natasha is one of the most kind and caring people I know. During the previous floods in Bray Park, Natasha put the word out via her Facebook Community Page (Bray Park and Surrounding Neighbourhood Watch) to get donations of food, clothes, blankets, etc. She communicated with the local Lions Club who assisted to organise a shed at the local show grounds, and a freezer to keep food cold. She contacted Coles Woolies, local shops etc, to get food to fill the freezer. She organised a BBQ and gas to cook it on, Dominoes donated pizzas to feed the displaced people, etc. Tash's car was used to go and collect these goods and distribute them.

During the most recent cyclone (Alfred), Tash put the offer out for anyone who needed a shower to come and use hers. If a friend is having a hard time, she will be sure to contact them and make sure they are doing okay, and if they need to talk, she is there for them.

One neighbour's house caught fire thanks to a heater in the little girl's bedroom, so Tash organised a fridge and a washing machine by writing to the local shops, contacting radio stations to assist, etc.

Through no fault of her own, Tash is not working. This GoFundMe is basically to raise funds to get Tash mobile and out and about again with a new, modified car. Her husband, Robbie, is an amazing photographer and is also looking for work as a truck driver to help with the daily expenses and to put money towards the car. He is struggling to keep employment, because if Tash's carers cancel, he has to stay home and look after her, thus making it difficult to keep a job.

However, these things take time and Tash needs a car relatively urgently to regain her freedom, independence and mobility. I will be sending any funds raised directly through to Tash to put in her car savings account.

Thank you for your time! Can you give up a coffee or two this week and donate? If not, can you please share this GoFundMe? Anything and everything is gratefully received.

Have a wonderful day.

Yvette xo