Hi, I'm Michael. For the past few years I've struggled with multiple physical disabilities. Because of this, I now need a wheelchair and assistance caring for myself. 
 
That's why I decided to make this GoFundMe. To ask for help covering the price of a wheelchair and various items I need to live everyday life without pain and exhaustion. 
 
In total I need $4,300 to get the things I need. 

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<li>$1739 will be used to buy a wheelchair, the ramp to transport it and the accessories to adapt it to my needs. 
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</ul> 
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<li>$1,961 will be used to buy assistive devices to help me care for myself, adaptive clothing and medicine to help maintain my chronic conditions. 
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</ul> 
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<li>$300 will be used to buy a laptop and accessories to make it accessible. The laptop will replace my phone as I struggle to use it due to my disabilities 
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</ul> 
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<li>$300 will be used to cover GoFundMe fees. 
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</ul> 
When I was 19, I developed carpal tunnel. Physical therapy didn't help my symptoms so they got worse. Eventually by the time I had surgery, I couldn't lift anything above 5 pounds or shower without assistive devices. 
 
During the time my carpal tunnel was progressing, I developed POTS. POTS stands for Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome. It causes me to struggle with walking, standing and movement in general. My symptoms were manageable at first but they worsened to the point I had to quit my job. I tried getting a new job to keep my apartment but unfortunately both my carpal tunnel and POTS prevented me from being able to do my assigned work. 
 
Coming to terms with no longer working was difficult. I had been homeless before from 18-19 yrs old after escaping my abusive family. At the time, I wasn't physically disabled but being visibly queer made others harass me. The possibility of going through that again on top of my disabilities wasn't something I enjoyed thinking about. I had also recently discovered I had celiac disease. Accessing food I could eat at shelters was the biggest worry of mine. Being in pain and physically exhausted is one thing. I wouldn't die from it but if I starved, I would. 
 
At 22, being unable to pay rent due to lack of income made me homeless for the second time in my life. My worst fears came true, I was sexually harassed by men around me and unable to eat at the shelter I was staying at. I went days having nothing but 1 meal a day. Sometimes I barely had that, eating a boiled egg from the shelter and soda from 7-11 for the calories. Any cash assistance I got from my state was spent on food. But it still wasn't enough to last. Groceries are expensive, especially if you have to buy food that doesn't have to be cooked or refrigerated and has to be gluten free. During the time I had worsening back pain. I had struggled with back pain before but every day it got worse. 
 
After 6 months of being homeless, I got permanent supportive housing. But the damage was done. My back pain, POTS, carpal tunnel and mental health issues were worse than before. Constant flare ups from having to move to and from different shelters during the day and the stress from being harassed and starving made my body collapse. I became extremely angry, suicidal and home bound. My body was in so much pain and I was exhausted. I'd spend weeks inside, being unmotivated and physically unable to do anything. After a while of recovering, my mental health improved. My physical disabilities however did not. 
 
Soon after I got diagnosed with spinal stenosis. Physical therapy didn't alleviate my pain as much as I hoped it would. Fast forward to now, needing a wheelchair but unable to afford one. 
 
If you're able to contribute any amount, it'd be greatly appreciated. Even a single penny is welcome. 
 
Don't feel comfortable sending money? Feel free to share my fundraiser! 
 
Even if you can't donate, I appreciate you reading this. I'll be posting updates when possible. Thank you!

Help Michael Live Independently

Still $1,750 to go. Help us build momentum.