Keep Annge Moving!

My dear friend Annge has Primary Lateral Sclerosis (PLS), a rare form of ALS. PLS for Annge affects her legs and lower half of the body. Eventually it will spread upwards to the top of her body. In November 2020 Annge had severe nerve pain and was admitted to the hospital. Due to COVID-19 and the low staffing at the Hospital, they did not allow her out of bed. She lost what muscle mass she had and lost the ability to walk. The doctors told her family that she would never be able to get out of bed again, without assistance. It has taken Annge 8 months to regain the ability to move from her bed to a wheelchair. Annge has, through pure stubbornness and determination, been able to get herself out of bed alone and shuffle a few feet to her motorized chair. Currently she has a loaner chair from the local ALS association in North Charleston. The ALS association needs their motorized chair back. A motorized chair gives her freedom of mobility so that she can be as independent as possible. Doctors recommend a chair that is more functional for her. The recommended chair would lift her legs, promote circulation and give her mobility. The motorized chair adjusts height, which aids her in getting into and out of bed. It provides additional independence because she can use the little strength left in her hands to move the motorized chair with the hand controls. In addition to independence, she is motivated by overcoming day to day challenges which keep her mental wellness in best form. This new chair would allow her to go independently to her porch and watch the birds and squirrels as well as join her family in the living room for visits and chats. Annge has spent her whole life in the customer service industry taking care of other people. Now she needs us to pool our resources to increase her quality of life and give her the independence she deserves.