Support Megan's Journey to a New Scooter

Hello everyone!

As most of you know, I was born with Spina Bifida Myelomeningocele . It is a birth defect that has effected my lower spinal column, my spinal cord and my legs.

I have tried and fought hard to never let my disability slow me down or stop me from what I wanted to accomplish! I've played sports, I've climbed mountains, I have traveled, hiked and camped. I continue to try and live as active of a lifestyle as I can, it just looks slightly different now due to my disability progressing as I age. I am not as mobile as I once was and walking long distances is now much more complicated. A multitude of mobility aids are now an integral part of my arsenal to help get me where I am going and leave me with the necessary energy to enjoy the destinations!

This April, my old mobility scooter, which is my most important aid, caught fire in the motor and officially died on me during a scout outing. My scooter allowed me the freedom to attend hikes, campouts, festivals, fairs, parades, summer camps, baseball games and trips through the mountains of Tennessee. It allowed me the ability to be an effective Cub Scout Leader and be an active mom to Vincent. It also made many daily activities easier as well. I used it at the grocery store, doctors offices and other places in which I would have to walk long distances. Not having this large part of my mobility need met has left me sidelined and unable to participate in the activities that I love.

I did a lot of research hoping to repair my scooter only to hear from the technicians that my model is at the end of its lifespan and the other components were wearing thin. I will have to start over with a brand new scooter! I searched and searched and found one that would meet all of my needs both indoors and out! They call it the Baja Bandit, made by pride mobility. It has the power, battery and tire strength to get me wherever my outdoor adventures take me while also being small enough to aid in many of my indoor needs! I have also found a hitch mount carrier for my vehicle to be able to haul and access my scooter on my own. My only hurdle now is the financial part. My insurance company told me they will not cover this purchase and that I will need to cover it out of pocket. With other medical bills and needs being met, my pockets are looking very limited and in need of assistance.

My goal is to be able to purchase a new scooter before the end of June so that I can attend summer camp with my cub scouts and participate in all of the the outdoor adventures of Cub World! I am reaching out to my community of family and friends to help me reach this goal!

Each and every donation towards my scooter helps get me one step closer to getting my livelihood back and I cannot thank you enough for that, though I will try! I will be writing every donors name on the surrounds of the new scooter to remember each person who has graciously given me my mobility back! I will also be making hand stitched thank you magnets so please send me your addresses!

I truly have the best community of supporters around and I am so thankful for all of you!

-Megan Ralston