Hi thank you for taking the time to look at my page,

My current wheelchair is broken beyond repair I am fundraising for a new, bespoke lightweight wheelchair to enable me to remain as independent and active as possible and allow me and my best friend Mater to continue on our adventures as he begins his training to become my assistance dog!

I was born with a rare condition, FSH Muscular Dystrophy, but it didn’t present until I was 14, up until that point I was completely able bodied. It is a progressive condition and there is currently no treatment or cure, it has left me unable to walk or raise my arms above shoulder height and I can fatigue very quickly.

Muscular Dystrophy is a progressive disease, a chair built for my needs with a light, bespoke frame will mean I can stay independent for as long as possible and try to delay the need for a powered wheelchair. Custom, lightweight wheelchairs are not cheap, and the NHS unfortunately do not offer a fully bespoke wheelchair that would suit my needs.

My current wheelchair is broken beyond repair and is over 6 years old. I have raised £2,380, with a charity donation and the NHS contribution, this is just under 50% towards a new chair costing £4,980. It has taken over a year to get to this point, however my current chair will not survive another year; several of the spokes are broken and both wheels are buckled. The Push-rims are coming away from the wheel rim due to cracks in the welding, that have been repaired several times (Once, 3 days before we were flying out to my mums wedding in Greece – the caretaker at my step dad’s work to the rescue!)

New lightweight wheels would mean I could push for longer as my shoulders wouldn’t fatigue as quickly, the rubber inserts on the Push-rim will allow me to grip the wheel easier – especially in the rain!

My condition has deteriorated quite rapidly since my current chair was built and sitting on a cushion means I’m sat too high and unbalanced, however not sitting on a cushion leaves me at a much higher risk for pressure sores. There are cracks throughout the welding which makes the frame flex and creak and makes it too weak to attempt some kerbs and steps.

A new chair will enable it to be bespoke to my current needs, compared to my old chair. Adjustments to the frame and seating position will mean I can sit on a cushion and correct my posture alleviating some of the pain from Scoliosis. Sitting in the correct position will also allow me to gain more function from my shoulders when reaching or pushing.

A new chair will enable me to continue to lead an independent and active life, take my dog on longer walks, get in and out of my car easier due to it being significantly lighter to lift and continue to help inspire the next generation through my work with Panathlon Challenge, a sports charity bringing sporting opportunities to over 18,000 disabled children and young people a year!

Custom, lightweight wheelchairs are not cheap, and the NHS unfortunately do not offer a fully bespoke wheelchair that would suit my needs. Any amount you can donate would be an amazing help and sharing my page would be so so appreciated! Thank you for taking the time to read my story – Freya 😊