Hello
Thank you for taking the time to look at my page!

My name is Ria and I am a 34 year old mum to 2 wonderful boys and wife to my amazing husband Peter.

I was diagnosed with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome Hypermobile Type in June 2014 and by February 2015 my already bad health took a turn for the worse. I was admitted to hospital unable to eat or drink. I was clinically malnourished and my bowel had stopped working. After tests I was diagnosed with Gastroparesis; paralysed stomach and Narcotic Bowel, due to prolonged use of opiate painkillers. I was started on Enteral feeding through an NJ tube and sent home. Sadly I didn't improve and by August 2015 I failed to thrive and was diagnosed with Intestinal Failure. It was a massive blow but I knew I had to fight through it for my boys. Hours later I had a Hickman line inserted and I began my TPN (Total Parenteral Nutrition) feeds. A Hickman is a Central Line. One end sits in the SVC above the heart and the other exits the skin. Being fed directly into my heart took alot of getting used to. Not being able to eat was something I was sadly used to but the care needed to look after a central line is extensive. Little did I know that the next 18 months would hold more heartache and pain for me and my family.

In the last 12 months I have battled with SEPSIS 4 TIMES! Spent time in Intensive Care and High Dependency and more weeks in hospital than I care to remember.

I was lucky to be given a self propelled wheelchair by Wheelchair Services but as my health has deteriorated so much, I'm no longer able to propel myself. I have to rely on my family pushing me around, caring for me at home, helping me bathe etc.

To regain some of my independence, I need a power chair which tilts, reclines, rises etc.

I would love to be able to fund it ourself, but sadly we can't afford to. Asking for help is hard. I would rather give someone money than ask for help for myself.