Hi everybody! My name is Laura.

It was really difficult to start this, but after discussing things with some close friends of mine… they helped encourage me to get this process started.

I was born with congenital hip dysplasia, and spent the first 18 years of my life in a wheelchair. In 2008, after 17 surgeries throughout my life, I finally had a total hip replacement that got me on my feet. It changed my life, I began hiking, going to the beach, traveling with friends and family, and I had two beautiful healthy children that I could carry full term.

The hip has lasted, wonderfully for 17 long years, but recently I had to go back under the knife because I was having clicking and grinding problems from the joint. The surgeon who originally did my replacement decided to do exploratory surgery to try and figure out what the problem was.

During that surgery, my femoral artery was accidentally mangled. I bled out, a code blue was called, and they were able to thankfully bring me back. That same day I was transferred to another hospital for emergency surgery to try and fix the artery. They had to do a graft, that surgeon saved my life and I am forever grateful to him.

The problem is, when they sliced my femoral artery, they damaged the femoral nerve as well. I am now numb from my left hip to my ankle. I have been doing physical therapy, and trying my best to wake that nerve up, but so far no luck. The vascular surgeon said it could take up to a year for feeling to return, if it ever does.

I get around with a walker currently, but my leg constantly gives out from under me because of the numbness. I have fallen a few times, one of them ending in my dislocating my hip joint. Thankfully, we were able to get it back in without surgery. But because of all of this, my primary doctor and I have come to terms with the fact that for my safety, especially being such a fall risk, I need to go ahead and use a wheelchair again. When I am on my feet too long, my left knee, hip, and thigh swell up painfully. It keeps me from being able to do anything longer than an hour or two… Which is so devastating because I am such an active person. Or at least I was.

The problem is, I need a very lightweight wheelchair because I am so small, and have lupus on top of all this. The lupus keeps me fatigued and weaker in my joints, and heavier wheelchairs are just too difficult for me to maneuver in. My insurance will not cover the more “expensive” chair, which is extremely disappointing. Because there is no way we can cover that kind of expense ourselves.

Originally, I had my eye on a cheaper chair than the one I am sharing now, but I realize that the ratings for it were lower as well. I want something that’s durable and will last. The one I am posting has great ratings, is able to travel on many different terrains, and apparently is super comfortable. They also have pillows special for spine problems, which I will try to invest in as well.

to anybody who shares or donates: thank you from the bottom of my heart. Again, this has all been such a mind blowing journey. We never expected such a simple surgery to change everything about my life. I went from finally walking after my entire childhood in a wheelchair, to having to rely on mobility aids again. Honestly… It’s devastating. But my incredible friends and family, you have all kept me going in a way I can never put into words.

and one day when I can… I will pay it forward.

funds will go towards the wheelchair, a special cushion for my spine, and a small ramp for my porch.