As some of you may know, I have struggled with a chronic joint condition for the past 5 years. I was a healthy and normal 19 year old when I got pregnant with our son. Six weeks after giving birth to little guy, Malachi, I was hit with severe joint pain and inflamation and a SED rate that was off the charts. After 100’s of needles, too many blood tests to count, rheumatology visits, physical therapy and prescribed exercise, infectious disease tests, homeopath appointments and cardiologist calls we are no closer to finding answers than in May of 2014.

My illness causes extreme joint pain because my joints partially dislocate called subluxation. In conjunction with dislocations there is a lot of swelling and stiffness in the joints, causing some to lock in place. At this point there's extreme muscle fatigue and dystrophy. Medications began with prednisone for inflammation but my pain was still almost unbearable.  Nine more medications followed (not including supplements and major dietary changes) with very few results. I was then moved onto pain killers,  hydrocodone and finally Oxycontin, however I found that I could not properly take care of our son on these as they caused me to either sleep all day and/or have hallucinations.  I am still suffering chronic pain on a daily basis.

After nearly two years of waiting, medicaid has paid for an amazing all-terrain wheelchair! Now I am more self-sufficient when it comes to everyday life. It's easier to go to the library, take Malachi to the children's museum, our local park and participate in family activities. :)

We currently drive a 2010 Kia Forte. The chair weighs 300 pounds and our vehicle cannot support the weight of the chair.  The manufacturer also advised that since the chair has electronic parts, that the chair cannot get wet, meaning the wheelchair needs to be put INSIDE the vehicle instead of hitched to the outside.

Paul, my husband, has been my full-time caretaker for the last two years. My parents have taken on 100% support of our family: our mortgage, electric, water, phone and medicines not covered by Medicaid, (you get the idea). We could never repay or have enough words to show our gratitude for the love, kindness and compassion my parents have shown! They have worked long hours in order to help, however, this need is beyond what they can meet alone. So this is where you come in.

We are in need of a vehicle that we can both load the wheelchair and safely allow me to enter and exit the vehicle. Your donations would go towards the purchase of an ADA approved vehicle making it possible for our family to get to get around a stay rolling! These vehicles range between $30,000-$50,000.

I am humbly asking for your help.

I know this is a big request but I know my God is bigger!