Hi,

My name is Lexi and I’m fundraising for an Automatic Folding Electric Power Wheelchair. I’ve had multiple health concerns since 2005. I have extensive abdominal nerve damage after a routine surgery left me permanently disabled. Over the years my health has declined, I’ve experienced a heart attack that needed two surgeries to repair the damage, 7 surgeries, and one more on the way for Pilonidal disease, Toxic Multinodular Goiters on my Thyroid with a surgery planned to have my thyroid removed, and most recently, bilateral coxa profunda and acetabular root osteophytes (bone spurs) on both hips and hip ball joints, brought on by osteoarthritis. It’s been a journey.

I love going out with my family, going on day trips or on short holiday breaks away, going to gigs to see my favourite bands and artists, going to the theatre with my mum or just a trip out to a coffee shop with my friend. I’ve always used my mobility scooter to get out and about, but recently I’ve been finding it so much harder. The pain in my hips and joints due to an uncomfortable sitting position has increased, as has my need for morphine. I’m the only driver in my family, of a fully adapted vehicle from Motability, and I can’t drive when I’m either in intense pain or on strong opioids.

Having an automatic folding electric wheelchair means I won’t need to rely on anyone to fold and unfold it, like I do with my current mobility scooter. The power chair I’ve chosen is an all terrain power wheelchair with bigger wheels and suspension. It would be an absolute dream to glide along crappy pavements, rather than the bumpy ride of my scooter with the handing and comfort of an old jalopy. The wonder of a smaller turning circle so I don’t knockout shop displays or take out rows of seats, leaving destruction in my wake, as I depart a poorly designed, or overly stocked, shop. And the joy of being in a comfortable sitting position and not slumping over the handle bars of my mobility scooter then, when it gets too hard, having to strap my legs together at the thigh so I don’t aggravate my hips and pelvis.

As you can appreciate it’s A LOT. I want the freedom of going out without being cropped up for a week afterwards. I want to enjoy going out with my friends and family and not have them worry about me whilst I’m with them, or ask them to help me more as I’m finding it harder and harder to transfer from my scooter to car, and back again, after a day out. I can’t wait!!!

We are a disabled family. My husband has a brain tumour, my children both have their health concerns, one has autism and the other has autism and ADHD markers, and on the waitlist for assessments. My family relies on me to get them around so keeping me in tip top condition is a priority.

If you are able to donate, I would greatly appreciate it. I’m so looking forward to getting my life back, and you would be part of my story, helping me on my journey to happiness.

Thank you for reading!

Enjoy your day!

Much Love from Lexi