Nancy's Mobility Independence
Donation protected
My name is Nancy Hinkston and I am asking for help in raising money for a wheelchair acceptable minivan.
I have been confined to a wheelchair since I was 22 years old due to Multiple Sclerosis. Early on I was able to transfer myself between my chair and the car. But in the late 1990’s my condition changed where transferring became difficult and then impossible for me. I was able to purchase a 1998 minivan that was wheelchair accessible allowing my chair to be locked behind the steering wheel thus giving me freedom to drive. This minivan gave me back my independence to get around without relying on someone else’s help. Unfortunately, this minivan is no longer reliable for me to drive since there are times when the ramp does not work and it has to be manually put down and up by someone. Now I have to depend on someone else to drive me, therefore again I have lost my independence.
A little about myself. In the 1950's I survived polio and was originally 95% paralyzed then to walking with braces, then surgery after surgery that enabled me to walk again without the aid of anything, only to be diagnosed after high school with MS. When I was 22 I began to loose all ability to walk which restricted me to have to use a wheelchair. Over the years I survived hepatitis which gave me cirrhosis of the liver and then even cancer but with these I again defeated them. God must have had a purpose for me, when time after time, he took me to deaths door and brought me back to life. No matter what life has thrown me I have always had a strong will to fight back and doctors have only been able to shake their head and tell me I write my own medical book.
In 1967 I married a wonderful young man who in 1968 went into the army only to loose him in Viet Nam. I never married again.
I have always been active in my church and became a religious coordinator for the elementary age children. Since I retired I have remained active in my church with teaching both 2nd grade classes and adults entering the church.
In 2012, I was able to acquire a Service Dog to help with my day to day activities. What a blessing Lilybell is to me, especially when I drop things on the ground and she is right there to pick it up. She also will open and close doors if for some reason I can’t do that. Since receiving Lilybell, I have become extremely active in Canine Companions for Independence and together we do presentations at schools to inform the kids what exactly service dogs do and how they can help people with disabilities build independence and confidence in themselves especially children with disabilities. We also do presentations to clubs, companies and whoever is interested in learning about Canine Companions for Independence. One of Lilybell’s favorite places to go to is the library for ‘Reading to Rover’ where she gets lots of pets and loving from children.
As I mentioned in the 1990s I lost the ability to transfer in and out of my chair. After the death of my parents in 1997, a wonderful friend moved in our family home to help me with my transferring. He has been a 'God send' to me. How many people can lift a dead weight woman?
There are now times when I have to miss helping out at church functions, promoting Canine Companions for Independence, and normal daily activities because there isn’t anyone who can take me. It isn’t just needing someone to lift me, but a minivan that can lock my chair into it. Having a reliable wheelchair accessible minivan would give me my independence back.
Unfortunately, due to finances I no longer can afford to buy another minivan. It isn’t just the cost of the van, which is around $30,000 but a wheelchair conversion kit that is required. This is an additional $30,000, for a total of $60,000.
I rely solely on my widow’s pension. I want and feel I can continue to give back to my community. If you can put in any contribution, no matter how small it will be greatly appreciated. If you are unable to help financially please repost so others can see. With God’s help and the help of anyone willing to contribute, this dream can become a reality.
I am not one who likes asking for either help or money so this is something difficult for me to ask. I cannot express how much it would mean to me to have my freedom and independence back again where I do not have to rely on others to take me where I have to go and giving me the ability to continue giving back to the community.
I have been confined to a wheelchair since I was 22 years old due to Multiple Sclerosis. Early on I was able to transfer myself between my chair and the car. But in the late 1990’s my condition changed where transferring became difficult and then impossible for me. I was able to purchase a 1998 minivan that was wheelchair accessible allowing my chair to be locked behind the steering wheel thus giving me freedom to drive. This minivan gave me back my independence to get around without relying on someone else’s help. Unfortunately, this minivan is no longer reliable for me to drive since there are times when the ramp does not work and it has to be manually put down and up by someone. Now I have to depend on someone else to drive me, therefore again I have lost my independence.
A little about myself. In the 1950's I survived polio and was originally 95% paralyzed then to walking with braces, then surgery after surgery that enabled me to walk again without the aid of anything, only to be diagnosed after high school with MS. When I was 22 I began to loose all ability to walk which restricted me to have to use a wheelchair. Over the years I survived hepatitis which gave me cirrhosis of the liver and then even cancer but with these I again defeated them. God must have had a purpose for me, when time after time, he took me to deaths door and brought me back to life. No matter what life has thrown me I have always had a strong will to fight back and doctors have only been able to shake their head and tell me I write my own medical book.
In 1967 I married a wonderful young man who in 1968 went into the army only to loose him in Viet Nam. I never married again.
I have always been active in my church and became a religious coordinator for the elementary age children. Since I retired I have remained active in my church with teaching both 2nd grade classes and adults entering the church.
In 2012, I was able to acquire a Service Dog to help with my day to day activities. What a blessing Lilybell is to me, especially when I drop things on the ground and she is right there to pick it up. She also will open and close doors if for some reason I can’t do that. Since receiving Lilybell, I have become extremely active in Canine Companions for Independence and together we do presentations at schools to inform the kids what exactly service dogs do and how they can help people with disabilities build independence and confidence in themselves especially children with disabilities. We also do presentations to clubs, companies and whoever is interested in learning about Canine Companions for Independence. One of Lilybell’s favorite places to go to is the library for ‘Reading to Rover’ where she gets lots of pets and loving from children.
As I mentioned in the 1990s I lost the ability to transfer in and out of my chair. After the death of my parents in 1997, a wonderful friend moved in our family home to help me with my transferring. He has been a 'God send' to me. How many people can lift a dead weight woman?
There are now times when I have to miss helping out at church functions, promoting Canine Companions for Independence, and normal daily activities because there isn’t anyone who can take me. It isn’t just needing someone to lift me, but a minivan that can lock my chair into it. Having a reliable wheelchair accessible minivan would give me my independence back.
Unfortunately, due to finances I no longer can afford to buy another minivan. It isn’t just the cost of the van, which is around $30,000 but a wheelchair conversion kit that is required. This is an additional $30,000, for a total of $60,000.
I rely solely on my widow’s pension. I want and feel I can continue to give back to my community. If you can put in any contribution, no matter how small it will be greatly appreciated. If you are unable to help financially please repost so others can see. With God’s help and the help of anyone willing to contribute, this dream can become a reality.
I am not one who likes asking for either help or money so this is something difficult for me to ask. I cannot express how much it would mean to me to have my freedom and independence back again where I do not have to rely on others to take me where I have to go and giving me the ability to continue giving back to the community.
Organizer
Nancy Kay Allen-Hinkston
Organizer
San Jose, CA
