Let's Help Jenna

Jenna has been in a wheelchair for most of her life. She has cerebral palsy and can't use her legs at all.  She is considered a quadriplegic because of the lack of use of her arms and hands but has had limited use of her hands in the past.  Her most valued possession has been her computer, her source of entertainment, communication and learning. Recently her hands have become impossible to use for clicking a mouse or typing on a keyboard because her fingertips have been curling backward. She's been in a great deal of pain every day and doesn't complain - she is a very brave young woman. Specialists have given her painful injections to help straighten her fingers, but nothing has worked thus far.  The future is uncertain, but we are hoping that eventually her fingers will straighten somewhat. However, we don't want to see her in this situation again...she's never had ergonomic equipment to lesson the strain of her computer use, even if her fingers are better than they are now, so adaptive equipment will not only help to get Jenna back to her desk, it will help prevent future strain on her body...hands, arms, shoulders and back.  She's been unable to use her computer for months - she normally has a sunny, positive disposition, despite her many challenges, but is very sad lately that she can't spend time at her computer. We are fundraising to purchase the adaptive equipment she needs- a mouse that is controlled with head movements, an adaptive keyboard and ergonomic accessories. If she has better days when her hands aren't so painful, we're hoping she can also use a specialized trackball and possibly alternate between the head mouse and trackball, depending on the condition of her hands. If she has the air mouse she'll never be stuck without a way to use her equipment again, as she has good head control and will quickly adapt to using her computer in a different way. Jenna needs her computer to continue exploring and learning through her 'window to the world' independently, and as soon as possible. With your help we can get her back to doing the things she loves to do, and give her back the independence she had. Your donations are greatly appreciated. Getting Jenna back to her computer means everything to her. She was thrilled to see this page was going up - thank you so much.