Help Kristi "roll" with her kids!

Let me introduce you to one of the most amazing people I know, my dear friend, Kristi Walton.  When Kristi was 17 years old she was in a car accident that left her paralyzed from the chest down (T4 Paraplegic).   Although her life was forever changed that day, she hasn't let her handicap keep her from doing all that she's dreamed of, including getting married and having two beautiful children.  If you know someone who is in a wheelchair and unable to walk, then you know how difficult everyday life tasks are for them.  Things that we abled bodied people take for granted and don't think twice about; like getting in and out of the car or walking out to get the mail,  or pushing a shopping cart in a grocery store, are major tasks for someone who is confined to a chair.  Kristi has spent the past 25 years in a wheelchair, pushing herself,  which has created additional physical issues for her, including cysts on her wrists, achy hands and arms, neck and back issues.  Not to mention that there are some things she just can't do on her own, like push her babies in a stroller or push a shopping cart through a store.  When she goes shopping alone she can only purchase what she can fit in her lap as she can't push herself and the shopping cart.  The limitations are endless, however she has never let them stop her and I have never heard her complain. She makes the best out of every situation and manages to push on. 
She has a wonderful husband who helps as much as he can, but he can’t be with her everywhere she goes and being independent is very important to Kristi.   She has considered an electric wheelchair, however she has no way to transport one (it would require a special van/vehicle) and electric chairs are VERY expensive.   

Every time I see her out and about with her young children and how she can't hold their hands as they walk next to her because she has to push herself, or struggling to get up an incline or not being able to enjoy a pumpkin patch with her kids because the terrain is too difficult to push herself through,  I think to myself that I wish there was something I could do to help her.  Well now there is! 

There's an amazing wheelchair accessory called the SmartDrive MX2+ ("MX2").  It's a lightweight device that attaches to the back of a wheelchair providing hands free pushing power!  It literally does the pushing for you and it's controlled by Bluetooth.  It only weighs 12lbs so it's easy to transport and attaches quickly to the back of the chair.   With the MX2, Kristi will be able to hold her children's hands as they walk next to her and she'll be able to push a grocery cart through the store for the first time on her own in over 25 years!  Rougher terrain will no longer be an issue.  With the MX2 she'll have the hands-free help she needs to maneuver without causing further arm, neck and back issues.  She can start, stop and control the speed with a simple tap! Not only would this give Kristi greater independence, it would  be a life changing device for her!  Unfortunately the MX2 is expensive.   With the accesories needed and tax, the price is between $7,000 - $7,500 and she has been unsuccessful in getting her insurance to cover the cost.  This is where we need your help.   Our goal is to raise enough funds for Kristi to purchase an MX2 before the 26th anniversary of her accident, which is October 26, 2017.   Any contribution is greatly appreciated and would help to bring much needed relief and greater independence to an amazing woman's life!  Join me in helping to make Kristi's everyday tasks less difficult and give her the gift of independence!  Let's help make it possible for her to enjoy more activities with her family and friends!  Your gift of any amount will be appreciated more than you can ever imagine!