Help Lauren raise funds for a power attachment!

Hi everyone, my name is Lauren and I am 22 years old. I am a passionate artist and Neurodiversity Advocate, and represent Tourettes Action on the National Neurodiversity Youth Council. I am very active in the disabled community, and speak at conferences, raise money for charities, and raise awareness of my conditions through social media. I was also lucky enough to be a finalist in the National Diversity Awards last year!

I am on here today asking for your help. I became disabled suddenly in 2020, after a seizure following donating blood.The seizure was a traumatic event which triggered my tics to worsen and my FND symptoms to start. At that point I was unable to walk properly, feed myself, or drink out of a glass. I am lucky that with access to treatment, medication and therapy my conditions have improved slightly, but they are still incredibly debilitating and affect almost every area of my life. My conditions cause regular seizures, mobility issues, and tics which injure me and can cause me to fall to my knees every few steps. I am now an ambulatory wheelchair user - some days I can walk okay and others not at all.

On bad days I still struggle to dress and feed myself, and leaving the house unaided is out of the question. Earlier this year I was lucky enough to be able to get a quickie nitrum wheelchair, which has completely transformed my life.

I am able to leave the house on days where my mobility is affected and my seizures bad, as in my chair there is no risk of falling and injuring myself further. My chair has given me back my freedom and my independence, which has been life changing and improved my mental health considerably.

However, on really bad days I am unable to self propel, and going for 'walks' through fields and woodland, which I loved so much before, is still out of the question. I have been super lucky to have been awarded some money towards a klaxon scrambler power attachment, but I still have a fair way to go before I can purchase it!

An off road attachment, like the scrambler, would give me back as much independendence as it is possible for me to have, and would allow me to enjoy the great outdoors like I used to before my disability.

If you are in a position to donate any amount towards the cost of a power attachment it would mean the world to me. No donation is too small, and any amount is greatly appreciated.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story.