Hi there, I'm Katie, eldest of three children. My family and I are fundraising for my mom, Kathyrin, or Kathy as some of you may know her by. Dad has recently retired and Mom has not been able to work for many years. With new changes and accommodations to be made, we are hoping to put together some funds to help with financing the transitions.

Her foot and legs have been deteriorating for some time. Walking and mobility has been an ongoing challenge. She began with using a walker, and in the past six months has been reduced to using a wheelchair full time. The wheelchair she had been using is an older model borrowed from our local Oddfellows organization. With the development of Charcot foot, vascular disease, and neuropathy issues as well as how fast the complications due to other ailments progressed, there was no other treatment then to have the foot amputated. The doctors chose to amputate below the knee about halfway down the shin in order to facilitate a future prosthetic. However given the amputation the borrowed wheelchair is not going to be adequate for her needs. Along with her amputation she has great difficulties with her shoulders and arms, this means that she is going to require a motorized chair or one that will be easier to maneuver.

Amputating means that her mobility is an even larger challenge. With amputation it means that we have to make some adaptations to the house to make life easier and accessible. In order to do this it means having to make changes at the earliest. Currently she is still in the hospital healing and dealing with rehabilitation and physio.

If we can begin to collect donations we can start making the changes needed before her imminent return home, such as:

The donations will be to make living easier for mom as she will be able to move and function around the home. This means that she can continue to retain a bit more of her independent self that she was. In addition this is going to assist my dad so that they can both remain at their home for as long as they can and having assistance to help dad out will make it smoother to assist her and less stress on him physically and mentally.

Other ways we would need help would be donations of any items that could be of use, such as grab poles or any other devices that could help make things easier. Product recommendations or service recommendations. Support groups or members.

As we are expecting mom home sooner than later we would greatly appreciate any donations to help us get the house set up for a smooth transition and so that once she is able to we would like to get her the wheelchair that can make life smoother.

From the bottom of our hearts we would just like to thank you for any support you can manage.

The Collins gang.