Help my sister be independent despite a chronic illness.

My name is Gemma, and I’m hoping to raise money to help my sister, Kate, get a new car.

Kate lives with an awful chronic illness, and having a car means so much more than convenience. It is her source of some freedom and independence.

Kate is 45 and has been sick since she was 11 years old with an autoimmune illness called limbic encephalitis, which causes the immune system to attack healthy brain cells.

As a result, she suffers from severe and debilitating fatigue and constant muscular pain.

When Kate was finally able to drive it was the most liberating moment in her long and exhausting years of illness. Suddenly, she had some independence!

Her severe fatigue had made catching public transport as she continued to pursue study and work despite her poor health, unbelievably hard.

In more recent years, Kate’s health has deteriorated further, and she had to leave her career, which was heartbreaking for her. She’s also lost the opportunity to have children, as she was simply too unwell to be a mum.

Now, Kate spends her days with her dogs looking for the little blessings of life. Every day, she drives her dogs somewhere for them to explore, as she’s not well enough to walk them.

But Kate’s car is on the verge of falling apart and will cost more than she can afford to fix.

She needs a new car so she can retain some of her independence and freedom, rather than becoming housebound and isolated.

Living on a pension, she simply doesn’t have the money to buy a car, and our retired parents are already helping her with many necessities. That’s why I’ve created this fundraiser.

Please join me in helping Kate keep some simple joys in her life, despite her suffering. Whether it's a donation of $5 or $50, everything will help. Thank you.