Nina's Powerchair of Power!

Hi there!

My name is Nina and I have Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (Hypermobility type) which is a genetic disorder causing faulty collagen, leading to (among many things) chronic pain, fatigue, and joint dislocations. In the last few years my health and mobility have drastically declined, and I have been diagnosed with autonomic dysfunction as well, which affects my blood pressure and causes heart palpitations, often causing me to black out when standing (or even sitting - it's a skill!). 

For two years I have been reliant on mobility aids to walk independently, but can only use crutches to go out on my own on good days. Last year I acquired a manual wheelchair, which gave me a great boost as it meant that with the help of friends I could stay out for longer, or go out on worse days, but unfortunately my condition affects my hands and shoulders so badly that I am not able to self-propel even very light chairs. This means that I cannot leave the house independently on most days, and am reliant on my friends, partner and PA to take me to appointments, many of which I have to miss or reschedule when I can't find assistance. Going back to university to finish my postgrad is currently not possible, when I can only leave the house at all on average twice a week,  and if I don't return in September I will not be allowed to finish it at all. 

So, I am trying to get a powerchair. Specifically, I am trying to get a Quickie Salsa M2 Mini.  It is not a cheap chair, and it is not available on the secondary market yet. So why this chair? Simply, it's the smallest chair currently available, and the only one that will fit through my dad's front door without replacing the doorframe. 
Because I waited 18 months for vital benefits, the backpayment means that I can afford to pay for most of the powerchair myself. However,  the rest of the basic cost plus the modifications I need escape the amount I have saved which is why I am asking for your help. 

The modifications I am needing on the chair which pull the cost up and out of my savings are: pelvic support cushion, tilt in space function (which assists with autonomic dysfunction symptoms as well as pressure redistrubution), tension adjustable backrest, and head support. Another large cost me for is the ramp which will need to be fitted in order to be able to get the chair in and out of the flat. It must be a temporary/removable ramp as this is not my own property and when I move it will need to go as well. Oh, and insurance.  If I go over-target, the excess will be used for non-essential mods for the chair such as a Trabasack, portable charger, or maybe even a coat of paint!

With the powerchair I will be able to do so much that I can't do now: go back to uni; attend medical appointments, events, and go shopping independently; leave the house far more often, even on days when standing up for 5 minutes is beyond me!

Thanks for reading, I'll update as necessary. I hope to get an exact quote for the ramp in the next few weeks. And if you have any questions, just ask!

-Nina