I am raising money for Thanasis, someone I have known since we were children.

He is 37, lives in Volos, Greece, and has Duchenne muscular dystrophy. He has a 95% certified disability, very limited movement, a permanent tracheostomy, and relies on mechanical ventilation 24 hours a day.

Most of us take simple things for granted; getting out of bed, moving around the house, or going outside when we want to.

For Thanasis, these things depend on having the right equipment.

Thanasis's current power wheelchair is around 18 years old and has been in use for about 15 years. He bought it privately, and it has now reached the limits of its technical and functional life.

He doesn’t simply need a newer wheelchair.

He needs a fully customised Complex Rehabilitation Technology (CRT) power wheelchair, designed around his very limited movement and the way his condition continues to progress.

It needs specialised seating and positioning, proper support for his head, neck, trunk and pelvis, pressure management, and powered functions such as standing, tilt, recline and elevating leg rests.

He also needs a very low-force or alternative control system because the movement he has in his hands and arms is becoming increasingly limited.

With advanced Duchenne, even a few millimetres of movement in a finger or hand can make the difference between being able to control his wheelchair himself and having to depend completely on another person.

Because he relies on mechanical ventilation 24 hours a day, the wheelchair must also safely carry his ventilator, suction machine and the other respiratory equipment he depends on.

The estimated cost of the complete wheelchair system is approximately €40,000. We have therefore set our initial fundraising target at £37,000. This target is intended to give us enough flexibility to cover the wheelchair and the associated costs of fundraising, payment processing, currency conversion and transferring the funds to Greece, while allowing for exchange-rate fluctuations.

His parents, now around 70, are still his main carers. They have looked after him for years, but the physical demands of caring for someone with such complex needs become harder as they get older.

And the wheelchair is not the only thing that needs replacing. Much of the equipment Thanasis relies on is also very old -- some of it 15, 20 or even 30 years old.

He also needs essential equipment including respiratory equipment, an electric patient hoist, a suitable electric bed and a pressure-relieving mattress.

At the same time, Thanasis has been fighting for the support he needs through the Greek healthcare system. He has approached EOPYY (Greece’s national healthcare services organisation, which is responsible for reimbursing certain medical and mobility equipment) and other public authorities, but so far he has not been able to get the support he needs.

And while he is fighting for that support, his condition continues to progress and his needs continue to grow.

He cannot put his life on hold while he waits.

WHAT COULD CHANGE

The right wheelchair would mean much more than replacing an old one.

It could allow Thanasis to use the movement he still has to control his wheelchair, change position, move around more safely and carry the equipment he needs with him.

That small amount of remaining independence matters.

It would also make everyday care safer and more manageable for his parents.

Our fundraising goal is £37,000, with the wheelchair as the immediate priority.

If EOPYY ultimately covers any part of the cost, the money raised can instead help with the other essential equipment Thanasis needs.

WHAT THE FUNDRAISING WILL HELP PROVIDE

The main priority is Thanasis’s customised power wheelchair, including:

Other essential equipment he needs includes:

For transparency, below are examples of the type of specialist equipment involved. The exact equipment will be determined according to Thanasis’s individual needs and the recommendations of the appropriate medical and technical professionals.

Permobil M Corpus VS — example of a highly customised power-standing wheelchair:

https://www.kjkservice.com/product-page/permobil-m-corpus-vs

R-net Micro Joystick — example of a specialist wheelchair control:

https://www.warmex.net/b2b_en/micro-joystick-r-net

Tarta — example of a specialist wheelchair backrest:

https://wheelchairbearings.com/products/tarta-wheelchair-backrest

Adjustable ventilator tray mounting system:

https://buildmywheelchair.com/build-my-wheelchair-parts-finder/quantum-rehab-parts/quantum-q6-edge-hd/accessories/vent-tray-mounts/vent-tray-depth-adjustable-accessory-bar-mount/

DeVilbiss VacuAide 7325 portable suction unit https://ergo-medical.gr/proion/foriti-anarrofisi-devilbiss-7325/?srsltid

Breas Vivo 65 — example of a ventilator:

https://www.medi-shop.gr/en/ventilators/breas-vivo-65-ventilator

We will share the supplier quotation and update the fundraiser as we receive confirmation of whether, and to what extent, EOPYY will cover any of the cost.

IF YOU CAN HELP

I know £37,000 is a big target. I am not expecting one person to reach it.

If many people give what they can, it becomes possible.

And if you cannot donate, please share this fundraiser. It may reach someone who can help.

If you can help, thank you. If you can share, thank you.

Read Thanasis's full story and his own account of what he is asking from the Greek healthcare system here:

https://www.taxydromos.gr/magnesia/volos/1364162/den-zito-chari-machi-37chronoy-volioti-gia-na-mporei-na-zisei-me-osi-aytonomia-toy-epitrepei-i-varia-anapiria-toy/

This fundraiser is being organised with Thanasis's knowledge and agreement.