After the storms here in the PNW, my mother, who has LGMD2i and is wheelchair-dependent, has been stuck in her room upstairs.

During the historic flooding and wind storms here in the PNW, trees fell and took down power lines right by my parents' house in Stanwood, WA causing a power surge that melted the control panel for my mother’s elevator—her only way to get from her bedroom and accessible bathroom to downstairs. In the midst of the holiday season and tomorrow, Christmas Eve, being her birthday, she has been trapped upstairs for a week. PUD says they have zero responsibility for the power surge melting the control panel and after having elevator technicians look at it, they are looking at over $25,000 for a new panel and installation. I know money is tight for everyone, especially around the holiday season, but if you are able to donate even a small amount, or if you aren’t able to but are willing to share this with friends who may, it would mean the world to me and my family. All proceeds will go to help pay for a new control panel and installation.

Asking for help is never easy, and starting a gofundme is not something she wanted to do. I want to show her that she is loved and cared for and there are amazing people in the world who want to help. It is hard enough to live in a world that isn’t designed for people who are wheelchair-dependent, to then be confined to only your bedroom. It isn’t as easy as transferring or carrying, as those hurt her body and are unsafe.

If you have any questions or advice, please feel free to reach out to me, Ireland Woods. Thank you for reading.