Hi there friends, family, and community!
I’m Monique - a disabled birder, fledgling photographer, writer, activist, and accessibility and inclusion nerd. Today I ask for your help to replace my broken mobility scooter so I can start my new job on the right foot (hahaaa - can't walk), and move to an accessible apartment in two weeks. It's crunch time and I can't do it without you!
I have FOUR DAYS to get a functioning mobility scooter before starting my new job (wheel falls off during orientation… awkward!!). The first day at my new job is Monday April 17th. I’ve located a supplier within driving distance and can pick it up just in time. Insurance denied my request for a replacement, and all humorous images of first-day breakdowns aside, it’s unsafe to keep using it. First impressions are critical, thank you for helping me get there with confidence.
My mobility changed significantly this year and I have been unsuccessfully navigating stairs with crutches, groceries, laundry basket, or by sitting on the stairs to go up and down while holding things. It’s simply not possible to continue like this. There is no elevator but there is a first floor unit opening up and if I can move before the end of the month, the landlord will transfer my lease. With your support I can move on April 27th. I need to hire folks for everything I can’t physically do: pack, clean, and move my stuff.
Costs I need to cover by April 15th.
- $3,234 – mobility scooter with battery
Costs I need to cover by April 27th:
- $1,288 - pack, move, unpack - (excludes tips)
- $524 – move out clean (excludes tips)
- $600 – landlord will charge me two weeks rent on my vacated unit while cleaning and maintenance are completed.
Total to move *and* replace my scooter: $5,646
Ancient scooter doesn’t fit through all apartment doorways.
It’s so hard to ask for this. I need additional physical therapy, and new specialists to hopefully figure out what is going on with my foot. It’s been a year and a half mystery that just keeps getting worse.
$1,900 remaining out-of-pocket insurance maximum this year.
You can also help support my work in accessible birding. Including disabled folks in outdoor activities like birding is very important to me. In 2021 and 2022 I joyfully paid to drive all over western Washington searching for parks and wildlife areas that are accessible to wheelchair and mobility scooter users! With your help I can continue site assessments and share the accessibility info on a FREE online birding map so anyone in the world can find accessible birding and wildlife areas in WA. A small park can take 4 hours to measure and document, and of course rest because it’s so physically demanding. Some days are wonderous with hours of measuring accessible parks, and others I spend the whole day trying to find any accessible location at all. Very little of this will happen without community support.
- $400 Gas ($100/month for 4 months May – August)
- $1,200 Lodging/food/car camping ($300/month for 4 months May – August)
Summer site reviews for Accessibility: $1,600
Grand Total: $9,146
GoFundMe takes 3%, but you are welcome to send to my Venmo or Paypal @MoniqueMcClure for either. Be sure to use “friends and family” and just put an emoji, otherwise the apps think you're buying goods or services and then I have to pay additional fees, plus income tax next year. Please reach out directly if you want to mail a check. You can reach me through whoever shared this with you or on Instagram @moniquemcclurephotography
You are amazing, and I’m grateful for you! So many people are in desperate need right now. If that’s you, please just share this fundraiser with your network. It's not sustainable for those most in need to just move the need around. Psychology says those who have the least give proportionally the most - please be sure you have what you need to survive first.
Thank you,
Monique
Below are the quotes, and some pictures from birding and accessibility site inspections!
Summer 2022 documenting a location in Cle Elum for accessible birding! Look at that beautiful rural road - perfect for birding on any kind of wheels.
Measuring the lip up to a bridge. Unfortunately even two inches is too high for a scooter or wheelchair. For some, one inch is too high. I had to turn back. Big Four Ice Caves paved trail and boardwalk - Mt. Baker. I drove to 3 locations this day that said they were accessible online. Not one was.
Costs:
