Help Lisa refurbish her Power Chair

I  started this Go Fund Me to assist my friend Lisa and solicite your help. Quick story.
1. Lisa needs a new Electric Wheelchair.
2. After2 Years looking and nothing fits her needs.  There is nothing on the market.
3. She needs to refurbish old one.
4. Gov't only pays 75% of new wheelchair costs.
5. Gov't pays 0% to refurbish old Wheelchair .
6. Lisa desperately needs the wheelchair refurbished.



Lisa's Story
I have had cerebral palsy since birth and as a result, I require a power wheelchair for all of my mobility. I live independently and require a wheelchair that can facilitate independent transfers and offer enough seated support to prevent pressure issues from occurring.
Beginning in September of 2015, I initiated the normal process required to find an appropriate new power wheelchair, given that I would be eligible to have a new chair through the Government’s Assistive Devices Program as of August 8, 2016. Even with the help of an Occupational Therapist and a knowledgeable Sales Representative from a well-known Company that provides wheelchairs and other assistive devices, I have not been able to find a new wheelchair that I can use independently and safely. (Both of these women have assisted me previously).
I am a woman who is less than 5 feet tall, and for that reason I need a wheelchair that has a very low seat to floor height. My current chair (that was obtained in 2011), has a seat to floor height of 14.5 inches. On top of that, I use a three inch seat cushion to prevent pressure sore issues from arising. Research has revealed that there are no wheelchairs currently being made that have that same floor to seat height. Over the past year, I attempted to test several of the newer chairs that are available with higher floor to seat heights, and thinner cushions but the results have been that I cannot self-transfer on to these higher chairs consistently and safely. When I tried using thinner cushions to help reduce the floor to seat height, my customary sitting for up to eighteen hours a day became very uncomfortable and lead to pressure issues. That means that right now, the only viable option I have is to refurbish my current wheelchair given that it does not cause pressure and it facilitates and maintains my independence.
I am single, and the sole support parent of one dependent child at home. I worked for thirty years and previously was able to cover some portions of wheelchair costs through work and insurance. My last employment was a contract that ended in 2014 and I have not been successful in acquiring new employment yet, despite considerable attempts to do so. I am currently living off of small amounts of my retirement savings. I will experience undue financial hardship if I must pay the total cost of refurbishing my wheelchair by using my own very limited financial resources. I am also aware that the government’s Assistive Devices Program does not cover wheelchair repairs or refurbishments.
Today I am reaching out to you to ask that you assist me in maintaining my independence through the use of my refurbished power wheelchair.
I am hoping that you will consider providing some donation assistance to help cover the necessary refurbishment costs. The amount that needs to be covered is $7500.00 The total cost will include a new seat cushion and the exact cost of the best one for me has not yet been determined. Historically, wheelchair seat cushions cost about $700 in 2011 but they may be more now, so that is why there is a $1,000 price range noted.
Thank you in advance for your consideration and potential assistance in this matter.
Kind Regards,
Lisa Jones