Lift Patty Up

As most of you know, I have been living with the rare, debilitating  condition known as Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH). I was officially diagnosed in 2002 but my doctors believe this is something I've lived with my whole life. I am on several medications and treatments, including 24hour IV infusion and the side effects from the meds can sometimes be worse than the disease itself. There is no cure. I was encouraged by my medical team to pursue a heart/double lung transplant but as luck would have it, I am not a good candidate for transplant due to other medical issues. I wouldn't survive the surgery. So I continue to do all that I have been doing...taking my medications and therapies...keeping myself ready for the next miracle. But for as much as I do for myself physically, the bigger issue, for me, is my mental health. This disease is progressive and after time robs you of the simplest things and before you know it, your quality of life is hanging on by a thread. I can't do the things that I love to do anymore and it has taken its toll. But I refuse to give up, to give in. I have a plan. Mobility is probably one of the biggest issues I face right now and I have lost a great deal of my independence. Every time I go somewhere, every time, I have to consider how far will I have to walk? Is it on any kind of an incline? Is there a restroom literally right there? Will I have the strength to make it back to the car? How am I going to carry all of my oxygen tanks? Who's going to carry my backup, emergency medical bag? The simplest plans become daunting when you have to take so much into consideration. But as I said, I have a plan. A plan to keep me in the game, both physically and mentally.

An electric mobility scooter. I have actually had one in the past and it did help me a great deal but I always had to have someone take it apart or put it together to load and unload from my car. I was still dependent on someone else. This will be different and that's where you come in. By the grace of God and very diligent work by my PAH medical team, my insurance has agreed to pay for the actual scooter which is a BIG deal! It's a Golden GB 117 Buzzaround and it isn't cheap. The cost is between $1,099 and $1,300....a cost that I don't have to worry about anymore. It's advertised as a travel scooter that easily breaks down into five separate pieces that can be loaded into any trunk. Sounds great....except for the fact that the heaviest piece is 30lbs and I can barely lift 5lbs without needing to catch my breath. I'm sure 30lbs would do me in and it would put me right back where I am...dependent. The solution? A mobility scooter lift for my car. One with a platform that I can simply drive the scooter on and off of and that transports the scooter wherever I want to go. One that I can operate by myself...alone...Independently! 
I've done a lot of research (I'll spare you most of the technical stuff) and this is what I've found. I need to have a hitch installed on my car and the only one that will fit is a Class I hitch. The lessor expensive car lifts require at least a Class II or III hitch.  A Class I can't be converted. Literally, the only option I have for my car is the Harmar AL160 motorized trunk lift. It's not the most expensive lift (trust me, some are astronomical) but it's not the cheapest either. To purchase and install both the Class I hitch and the trunk lift will cost $2,350.

I desparately need your help! Thankfully the cost of the scooter itself has been covered...that's a big dent in the funds I need to make this dream a reality. I need YOU to help me complete my dream and keep me in the game! My scooter is scheduled to be delivered within the next couple of weeks. I really need to have this project completed as soon as possible. Any donation you'd be willing to make will be greatly, GREATLY appreciated. I know how tough things are for everyone financially and I don't take this request lightly. Your making a donation means more to me than words can say. Thanks you for taking the time to read my story and please feel free to share my request....I can use all the help I can get. Much Love.