Hi, my name is Chelsea. I have a deep love for the outdoors, traveling, and exploring. The need to get out and see nature and all of the wonders of the world has followed me ever since I was young. But beyond that, I love my family. I'm an aunt, and nothing brings me more joy then to run around and play with them.
However, I was born with a condition called acute congenital tarsal coalition. It means that most of the joints in my feet are fused together. 
I was in several dance, tap, and jazz classes when I was young. After many nights of tears and aching legs and feet, my family and I eventually went in to see a doctor to figure out what was going on. He told us that arthitis had started developing on the joints in my feet that weren't fused together. This is caused by the amount of strain placed on those joints to make up for the ones I didn't have. He also said that because of how much strain was being placed on these joints, I could expect to be in a wheelchair by the time I was in my 40s. The only option at that time was to continue taking over the counter medications because the surgery he offered would immobilize me completely.

Many years have passed and, to no one's surprise, the situation has gotten progressively worse. The arthritis has spread to my ankles and knees. Living and walking on a normal day to day basis is becoming nearly impossible, let alone holding a full time job. I never thought that by my age, the act of standing up in the morning would be such a painful process.

But there is hope! I have recently seen a doctor who offered a different solution. After taking x-rays of both feet, he explained to me a surgery where he would fuse together all the joints in my feet. This would allow me to continue hiking with my boyfriend, to dance, to chase my niece and nephew around, to actually hold a full time job, to fulfill the ache in my heart to explore. 

Thankfully, insurance is covering a good portion of my medical bills. What I need help with is all of the bills that won't go away just because I'm recovering from surgery. Everything from rent and utilities, to groceries and snow tires for our car so we can safetly travel to and from P.T. and doctors appointments. 
My boyfriend, the love of my life, is also hoping to get a job working from home so that he will be able to take care of me for the 4-6 months that I will be unable to move around for myself. But the available income for at home jobs is limited.

Before I heard that there was a solution to this life long problem, I had accepted that no matter what I did, I would be in constant pain. Now that there is a chance that that wheelchair won't find me any time soon, I can't pass up the opportunity.

But I can't do any of this without help! 
Even the smallest amount of support is so greatly appreciated!