Help Jennifer Regain Her Dignity and Mobility

Hi, my name is Lisa and my life-long friend Jennifer needs help. At just 47 years old, Jennifer has faced more challenges than most of us could ever imagine. Diagnosed with multiple severe disabilities, Jennifer has been bedridden and unable to care for herself or live the independent life she once enjoyed. A vibrant and active member of her community, she is now unable to be the unstoppable woman she once was, despite having three grown children and two beautiful grandchildren who bring her joy.

Despite her dire need, she has been unable to secure essential funding through the NDIS for critical support like a wheelchair, in-home care, and other necessities to improve her quality of life.

Why We Need Your Help

Jennifer's condition has left her isolated and without the ability to access the world outside her bedroom. The costs of specialized equipment, ongoing care, and adaptations to her home are overwhelming. Without assistance, she cannot:

• Acquire a wheelchair suited to her needs.

• Access the professional care required for daily tasks like bathing, eating, and dressing.

• Make modifications to her home for accessibility.

Where Your Donations Will Go

Every dollar raised will go directly towards improving Jennifer's quality of life. Specifically, we aim to:

1. Purchase a specialized wheelchair that will allow her to regain some mobility and independence.

2. Provide essential in-home care to ensure her daily needs are met.

3. Fund necessary home modifications to create a safe and accessible environment.

Jennifers Story – in her own words

My daily life has been severely impacted since I became permanently disabled, with primary diagnoses of Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), Bipolar Disorder, Fibromyalgia, Costochondritis, Graves' Disease, and Osteoarthritis, alongside secondary conditions of Depression, Thyroid Eye Disease, and Chronic Fatigue. Before my disability, I was an active participant in raising my family, running my own massage business, hosting international homestay children, and volunteering. I loved fishing, bushwalking, beach walking, shell and fossil collecting, and photography.

Now, I can no longer enjoy these activities without intensive support and an appropriate wheelchair. I have been allocated just 5 hours of QCSS support per week—2 hours for cleaning and 2.5 hours for a social visit—but I cannot go out socially as I do not have a suitable wheelchair. I am isolated at home without safe access to the community, and my disabilities, which are exacerbated by stress, prevent me from participating in social groups and activities I once enjoyed, such as public speaking and going to the beach.

My disabilities also affect my role as a grandmother. I can’t travel to visit my grandchildren or take them to the park because I don’t have the appropriate equipment. This devastates me, as I had an active role in my older granddaughter’s life, and I can no longer do this with my younger grandson. The inability to spend quality time with my family, who are crucial to my emotional health, is heartbreaking. I also miss having homestay children, as I can no longer care for them due to my disabilities, which has affected my income and social connections.

I now spend about 23 hours a day in bed for safety reasons, as I am at risk of having a seizure at any time. This greatly affects my mental health, including my bipolar disorder and Depression. I am lonely and desperate to re-engage with others and safely attend family and social events.

Financially, I am on the Disability Pension and can barely afford rent, food, and medications, let alone appropriate disability equipment. Most of my assistive devices, including my wheelchair, are second-hand and unsafe. My wheelchair is broken, has no seatbelt, and causes injuries when I have seizures. I have already had several accidents, including a concussion after falling out of the wheelchair.

Last month, after not leaving the house for five months, I went to a doctor’s appointment and had a seizure in the parking lot and again in the doctor’s office, resulting in severe neck pain. The lack of a proper wheelchair, which could have prevented the injury, has left me unable to go out safely. To make matters worse, my NDIS application was rejected despite the severity of my condition, and the process has caused immense stress and anxiety.

I need your help to get the equipment and support I require to improve my quality of life. My current wheelchair is not safe, and I am unable to train my assistance dog, who helps me with seizures and mental health issues, due to financial limitations. The support I’m requesting will enable me to regain some independence, safely leave my home, and spend quality time with my family and friends. I long to have a life beyond just existing in pain, and your support will make a significant difference in giving me back my dignity and mobility.

You Can Make a Difference

Your generosity can change Jennifer’s life. Whether it’s a small donation or simply sharing this campaign with your network, every action brings us closer to giving her the dignity, care, and mobility she deserves.

Thank You

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for taking the time to read Jennifer's story and for any help you can offer. Together, we can give her the tools and support to live with greater comfort, independence, and hope.