Wheel Me to The World
Donation protected
We are holding a fundraising event on Friday 23rd October to further raise awareness of MS in the community and bring people together in the spirit of community. To book tickets follow this link
http://www.trybooking.com/Booking/BookingEventSummary.aspx?eid=162070
My name is Joanne Edmond and I am supporting this campaign to both raise awareness of MS and to ensure that people in our community like Jeanette and George who have always been community spirited can stay connected with their community in a positive way. This fundraiser will help both MS and Jeanette and George towards the purchase of a mobility van which will reconnect them locally. The total cost of the mobility van is $14,000. This is her story: My name is Jeanette Knight. I am married to George and we have 3 grown up children, 7 grandchildren and have resided in beautiful Dunsborough WA since 1983. Over the years we have made many friends and I have been part of many groups (Zonta, MS for Local community, Probus, Dunsborough Art Society, Dunsborough Garden Club, Lions, and Busselton Business and Professional Women’s Group) and been inspired by so many people. I can’t believe I have reached 75. Let me explain what Multiple Sclerosis is. Imagine an electric cable with all the smooth rubber protecting the electric wires. Our spines are also covered keeping the nerves protected with a coating named myelin. In my case the myelin has fragmented, leaving exposed nerves down the spine, so the messages from the brain get short circuited. Hence legs, arms and internal organs get affected. In my case the nerves are affected from a high level C4, which now makes me a quadriplegic.
With MS it is usual for plaque to form on the brain. In my case this has not happened. Instead my spine has been damaged by the MS causing a progressive deterioration over the years. Some people experience extreme pain, others no pain. In my case I have been challenged with extreme pain since I was 29yrs of age.
I currently work approximately four hours daily on exercises and try to walk every day. My darling husband has done physio on me for 35 yrs. He is now 81 and unable to do it. Last August I was still able to walk 200mtrs using my elbow crutches. My husband became ill and the stress affected me. Virtually overnight I lost my ability to walk. I now stagger, leaning on a trolley, forever hopeful that I will improve. I try every day. I lost function in both hands and arms. Again, I work on them every day.
We are now faced with a dilemma. Unfortunately I am now housebound because I am unable to get into a vehicle. We now require a purpose built vehicle. This would enable me to still be an active part of society, maintain some level of independence and follow my desires to help others, such as going to the schools to read to the little children. We have never asked for assistance like this before but we are unable to fund the van for ourselves. We hope you can donate to help us in our situation. The money raised will go towards buying a second hand van with a hoist, to keep me independent and involved in the community that we are so much a part of. Being independent and remaining as active as possible is a big part of battling MS but also something we should all strive for. Over the years I have adapted my life to manage the disease and feel very fortunate to have George who has been and continues to be a devoted husband for 55yrs and carer for me. The MS Society are marvellous to me, enabling me to stay in my own home with their support. A large portion of the fundraising goes go to member services.
http://www.trybooking.com/Booking/BookingEventSummary.aspx?eid=162070
My name is Joanne Edmond and I am supporting this campaign to both raise awareness of MS and to ensure that people in our community like Jeanette and George who have always been community spirited can stay connected with their community in a positive way. This fundraiser will help both MS and Jeanette and George towards the purchase of a mobility van which will reconnect them locally. The total cost of the mobility van is $14,000. This is her story: My name is Jeanette Knight. I am married to George and we have 3 grown up children, 7 grandchildren and have resided in beautiful Dunsborough WA since 1983. Over the years we have made many friends and I have been part of many groups (Zonta, MS for Local community, Probus, Dunsborough Art Society, Dunsborough Garden Club, Lions, and Busselton Business and Professional Women’s Group) and been inspired by so many people. I can’t believe I have reached 75. Let me explain what Multiple Sclerosis is. Imagine an electric cable with all the smooth rubber protecting the electric wires. Our spines are also covered keeping the nerves protected with a coating named myelin. In my case the myelin has fragmented, leaving exposed nerves down the spine, so the messages from the brain get short circuited. Hence legs, arms and internal organs get affected. In my case the nerves are affected from a high level C4, which now makes me a quadriplegic.
With MS it is usual for plaque to form on the brain. In my case this has not happened. Instead my spine has been damaged by the MS causing a progressive deterioration over the years. Some people experience extreme pain, others no pain. In my case I have been challenged with extreme pain since I was 29yrs of age.
I currently work approximately four hours daily on exercises and try to walk every day. My darling husband has done physio on me for 35 yrs. He is now 81 and unable to do it. Last August I was still able to walk 200mtrs using my elbow crutches. My husband became ill and the stress affected me. Virtually overnight I lost my ability to walk. I now stagger, leaning on a trolley, forever hopeful that I will improve. I try every day. I lost function in both hands and arms. Again, I work on them every day.
We are now faced with a dilemma. Unfortunately I am now housebound because I am unable to get into a vehicle. We now require a purpose built vehicle. This would enable me to still be an active part of society, maintain some level of independence and follow my desires to help others, such as going to the schools to read to the little children. We have never asked for assistance like this before but we are unable to fund the van for ourselves. We hope you can donate to help us in our situation. The money raised will go towards buying a second hand van with a hoist, to keep me independent and involved in the community that we are so much a part of. Being independent and remaining as active as possible is a big part of battling MS but also something we should all strive for. Over the years I have adapted my life to manage the disease and feel very fortunate to have George who has been and continues to be a devoted husband for 55yrs and carer for me. The MS Society are marvellous to me, enabling me to stay in my own home with their support. A large portion of the fundraising goes go to member services.
Organizer
Joanne Edmond
Organizer
Quindalup WA
