I'm going to be attending University in September and I need to fund my wheelchair before then. As a young person I want to enjoy and experience uni life to the fullest and to do that I need a wheelchair. I really want the chance to succeed at education and to study a subject I love. I'm going to be studying biomedical science at Surrey University and I am really looking forward to it - I have a confirmed place. I want to give myself the best chance at succeeding.

A wheelchair will help to give me back my independence.

I have EDS (Ehlers Danlos Syndrome) this is a connective tissue disorder and affects me in many ways - the most obvious is frequent daily subluxations and dislocations. It's thought to cause my other physical conditions POTS and ME/CFS. POTS causes problems with my autonomic nervous system meaning I get very dizzy when standing, my heart rate is rapid and my limbs are numb due to blood pooling. ME/CFS causes me intense fatigue and 'crashes' these episodes are intense and occur daily.

All of this means I find it very hard to get out of the house. It's impossible without the aid of my wheelchair. The wheelchair I have isn't suitable to be used daily and outside. It's heavy and cumbersome - I need an ultralight wheelchair that's made for me.

I need an ultralight wheelchair with the possibility of power add-on depending on how much we can raise. I also need to fund OT assessment costs. The wheelchair itself can vary in prices depending on what make/model and add-ons I need. The money raised will go directly to funding my wheelchair and any add-ons.

I'm currently looking at the Kuschall KSL or the Kuschall K-series these are rigid active chairs which are designed for everyday use. The base prices for these chairs are around £2700 and £2300 with add-ons such as flattened hand-rims to stop my thumbs dislocating, better seating to support my back and a flat solid carbon fibre footplate they come to around £3900. Lighter materials also cost more. How much I am able to raise will influence what I am able to go for. A possible power add on could be the Alber e-motion wheels these run for nearly £5000 or the Alber Twion which is around £4500.

Alongside my fundraising I will be applying to charities to help fund the total cost of £8000.

Thank you for reading and I hope you can help!

My paypal link is paypal.me/abimat if you prefer to donate that way.