I am starting this campaign on behalf of my wife, Amy Beauregard (aka. Louve Millson, on Facebook). The aim is to hopefully raise £3000, to be able to purchase an electric wheelchair/power chair for her.
Rather than try to speak for Amy, I will include here what she has written, regarding how obtaining an electric wheelchair would change her life.
Amy's Words:
"I have been disabled for over 20 years, after being diagnosed with Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome, due to surgical trauma, in the 1990's. As welI as other issues, I suffer with SEVERE pain throughout my entire body, as well as very severe muscular spasms. I have had more surgeries than I can count throughout the years, and I have been using a manual wheelchair (& crutches) for the entire length of my illness.
Due to the use of both the crutches & the wheelchair, I have developed severe arthritis in both of my hands & my left shoulder, as the human body is not designed to use these mobility aids for decades non-stop. But, I continued to try my hardest to use the manual wheelchair, despite the pain it was causing me every day.
But things changed dramatically on April 9, 2018, when I suffered a 12 hour non-stop seizure, due to Encephalitis. I ended up in the Intensive Care Unit, where I was placed into an induced coma for 2 & 1/2 days.
Unfortunately, due to seizing for 12 hours, my body has suffered some serious damage, including damage to my brain. It has left me with loss of vision in my right eye & damage to my ability to express my thoughts, among other issues.
But, even MORE devastating, is the MASSIVE increase in my pain level, as well as VERY severe overall weakness throughout my body. These issues, (added to the arthritis in both hands & my shoulder), have caused me SO MUCH difficulty in being able to propel myself in my manual wheelchair!
I have LOST the independence I had before the seizure. I now have to limit where I am able to go, as I can not propel myself up hills, over long distances, etc. I am no longer able to go anywhere on my own, due to these issues. It has been SO devastating, both physically, as well as emotionally.
Obtaining an electric wheelchair would bring that INDEPENDENCE back to me!! I will not have to limit where I go anymore. I will be able to be spontaneous again.
Things that many people may take for granted, like going to the local shop, will be possible for me again. And, I will be able to go and watch my dog run around the field again. These sort of things may seem trivial, but to me, they are SO important.
An electric wheelchair will help me to return to having a TRUE quality of life! My life would once again include making fun memories of wonderful days out, & going to places other than JUST the hospital.
It would open up the world to me in SO many wonderful ways.
To get back as much independence as possible, I would need to get a folding electric wheelchair, as this would allow me to be able to put the 'chair into the boot of taxis/cars, as well as it would fit on trains & planes much easier. And the lighter & smaller the 'chair is, the easier it would be to do all of these things.
So, upon doing A LOT of research, the goal for this fundraising campaign is £3000.
I DO realize that is a lot of money, and I could never express the true depth of my gratitude to anyone who is able to contribute. Every single amount, no matter the size, would help to get me closer to this truly LIFE-CHANGING goal.
(I am disabled, & unable to work. My husband does work, but we do not have enough money to be able to afford an electric wheelchair on our own.)
It has been SO very hard to ask for help, and I have struggled with that so much. But, as one kind person sweetly said to me: " Sometimes need is MORE important than pride."
If you are able to help me to get my independence back, I can promise you that I WILL make the most of this incredible gesture. I will get back out into the world & make so many wonderful memories. I will make sure to enjoy every single moment.
It is so hard not to get ahead of things, as I find myself imaging all of the fun & wonderful places I could go to once again.. and all of the brilliant things I could do.
Thank you ALL for taking the time to read this, & for ANY help you are able to provide. I could never thank you all enough. - Amy "
Any help will be so appreciated by Amy, and myself. And please do feel free to spread the word,and SHARE this campaign, with your friends & family - on FB, Twitter or word of mouth - as that also helps so very much. From both of us: THANK YOU!
Rather than try to speak for Amy, I will include here what she has written, regarding how obtaining an electric wheelchair would change her life.
Amy's Words:
"I have been disabled for over 20 years, after being diagnosed with Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome, due to surgical trauma, in the 1990's. As welI as other issues, I suffer with SEVERE pain throughout my entire body, as well as very severe muscular spasms. I have had more surgeries than I can count throughout the years, and I have been using a manual wheelchair (& crutches) for the entire length of my illness.
Due to the use of both the crutches & the wheelchair, I have developed severe arthritis in both of my hands & my left shoulder, as the human body is not designed to use these mobility aids for decades non-stop. But, I continued to try my hardest to use the manual wheelchair, despite the pain it was causing me every day.
But things changed dramatically on April 9, 2018, when I suffered a 12 hour non-stop seizure, due to Encephalitis. I ended up in the Intensive Care Unit, where I was placed into an induced coma for 2 & 1/2 days.
Unfortunately, due to seizing for 12 hours, my body has suffered some serious damage, including damage to my brain. It has left me with loss of vision in my right eye & damage to my ability to express my thoughts, among other issues.
But, even MORE devastating, is the MASSIVE increase in my pain level, as well as VERY severe overall weakness throughout my body. These issues, (added to the arthritis in both hands & my shoulder), have caused me SO MUCH difficulty in being able to propel myself in my manual wheelchair!
I have LOST the independence I had before the seizure. I now have to limit where I am able to go, as I can not propel myself up hills, over long distances, etc. I am no longer able to go anywhere on my own, due to these issues. It has been SO devastating, both physically, as well as emotionally.
Obtaining an electric wheelchair would bring that INDEPENDENCE back to me!! I will not have to limit where I go anymore. I will be able to be spontaneous again.
Things that many people may take for granted, like going to the local shop, will be possible for me again. And, I will be able to go and watch my dog run around the field again. These sort of things may seem trivial, but to me, they are SO important.
An electric wheelchair will help me to return to having a TRUE quality of life! My life would once again include making fun memories of wonderful days out, & going to places other than JUST the hospital.
It would open up the world to me in SO many wonderful ways.
To get back as much independence as possible, I would need to get a folding electric wheelchair, as this would allow me to be able to put the 'chair into the boot of taxis/cars, as well as it would fit on trains & planes much easier. And the lighter & smaller the 'chair is, the easier it would be to do all of these things.
So, upon doing A LOT of research, the goal for this fundraising campaign is £3000.
I DO realize that is a lot of money, and I could never express the true depth of my gratitude to anyone who is able to contribute. Every single amount, no matter the size, would help to get me closer to this truly LIFE-CHANGING goal.
(I am disabled, & unable to work. My husband does work, but we do not have enough money to be able to afford an electric wheelchair on our own.)
It has been SO very hard to ask for help, and I have struggled with that so much. But, as one kind person sweetly said to me: " Sometimes need is MORE important than pride."
If you are able to help me to get my independence back, I can promise you that I WILL make the most of this incredible gesture. I will get back out into the world & make so many wonderful memories. I will make sure to enjoy every single moment.
It is so hard not to get ahead of things, as I find myself imaging all of the fun & wonderful places I could go to once again.. and all of the brilliant things I could do.
Thank you ALL for taking the time to read this, & for ANY help you are able to provide. I could never thank you all enough. - Amy "
Any help will be so appreciated by Amy, and myself. And please do feel free to spread the word,and SHARE this campaign, with your friends & family - on FB, Twitter or word of mouth - as that also helps so very much. From both of us: THANK YOU!