Donate to help Maya get a new, stair-climbing wheelchair!

Hi! My name is Maya and I have Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 2. I have been in a wheelchair since I was 2 years old, and now at 17 I need to fundraise for a new one. My current wheelchair is faulty and unsafe as I have had it for over 8 years and it no longer lives up to my needs and lifestyle. I rely on a wheelchair all day every day to be able to do the things I love, including seeing my friends, going to school and travelling, and so it is essential that I can get around safely and independently in a wheelchair that works.

I am raising money to buy the iBOT wheelchair which has all the functions of my current wheelchair such as raising and tilting functions to make my day-to-day life easier. It will also be customised to fit my body and needs with features such as a headrest and contoured cushion.

It has a four-wheel drive mode which would allow me drive up and down curbs and small steps, for example, into shops, restaurants, or my friends’ houses. This feature would also allow me to drive on a range of terrains such as uneven fields, gravel, and sand, which would allow me to visit the beach which I love so much but can never easily get to.

The best part of this iBOT chair is its ability to climb stairs! This would be absolutely life changing for me as it would allow me to get pretty much anywhere and be more included in a world not designed for wheelchair users. This especially would help for when I want to go travelling when I leave school, much like many other people my age, and when I go to university next year and start to live more independently.

Unfortunately, this wheelchair is very expensive due to its advanced technology and will cost £52,733.10. In the event that I do not raise enough money by the time I go to university, I will purchase a cheaper and less advanced chair with the money raised which does not have all of these functions. Any extra funds will be spent on the costly service of the chair which I have to pay for myself.

Having this wheelchair would be life changing for me and I would really appreciate any donation towards it. Please share this with anyone and everyone who may be able to donate.

If you would like to follow along with my journey and see me getting this new chair, you can follow me on Instagram or TikTok @mayasquashingtoes.