Help Ann Maria get some Wheels!

Team fundraiser

Ann Maria Bonanni and 11 others are organising this fundraiser.

Donation protected

Help Ann Maria get some Wheels …. Everybody expects to lose mobility later in life… but for me I lost it MUCH earlier then expected. The neurological disease I have is called Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia and it’s something I was born with.

We didn’t know why I was always last to get in line and why my grade school basketball coach used to tell me to lift my feet when I ran. The joke was that I had a lazy leg so a friend took me to Valley Forge Park to teach me how to run. Can you imagine going here at the age of 20-something to teach your lazy legs how to run? (see photo in comments)

Growing up in an Italian family with both my parents coming from Italy, we often had family outings, picnics and went to The Jersey Shore. Going to the pool was extremely difficult because I couldn’t swim like everybody else. My legs just wouldn’t move the way I needed for swimming. And when we were at the beach, I couldn’t take long walks like everybody else. I sure do miss walking in the sand.

I was fortunate I was still able walk while I was an undergrad at Penn State University (graduating in 1993). It wasn’t until I was 31 that we learned it was the Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia causing problems going all the way back to grade school. I was able to work till 2010 at Wyeth Pharmaceuticals in Global Congress Convention Management.

Then in 2001, I started limping really badly. It took over two years to figure out why. I was limping because the Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia had gotten worse, and it has gotten even worse every 10 years since then. First there was the limp, then I could only walk if I used a cane, next I needed a walker which I used for 10 years to keep getting around and doing everything any of us expects to do in our young adult years. And now? Now most of my time is spent in a wheelchair. I can still do my own transfers – like from the wheelchair to standing – and I can do a little walking with the help of a walker, but boy, do I miss those days when I could easily get around under my own steam! Even if only with a cane or a walker!! Those were the days!!

But that’s not the worst part. Because it’s now become nearly impossible to lift my legs on my own, I can no longer can get in or out of a car on my own. This means I always need someone to help me. Plus I can’t bend my legs enough to drive a car on my own. That just adds insult to injury because I can’t do anything independently.

This is where YOU can help... I want to purchase a converted van, specifically a van with a ramp.  I would be able to get into and out of the converted van WITH MY POWER WHEELCHAIR and I would be able to drive where I want, when I want. Having a converted van will allow me to regain self-sufficiency, give me the freedom to feel like a whole person again, allow me to take back the rest of my life. A donation of any amount will be GREATLY appreciated. Thank-you for taking the time to read my story and for your donation. Greatly appreciate if you can share with your friends and family.

Wishing you all the best, Ann Maria

https://sp-foundation-org.presencehost.net

We all know vehicles can be expensive and there's also keeping up with the maintenance.  A basic van costs $25,000. Conversion of a van can run up to $35,000. Yes, the conversion can cost more then the van. And gas plus maintenance and insurance adds another $1,000 plus every year. Hot-Wheels Team...

My Hot Wheel Team has supported me throughout many years.  They have provided friendship and frequent encouragement for me to stay strong . I will always appreciate the love and support everyone has shown me!!

Sisters: Tina & Susanna