Hi My name is Jose and I am 40 years young. I live with my partner of 22 years Colin and our 3 children Joshua, Luke and Lucy oh and our loopy Dalmation Oscar.

3 years ago I had an accident which was to change our lives completely. During a family walk I felt my legs buckle beneath me and had a pain in my back which was nothing like I had ever felt before, I knew I had done some damage but didn't know just how much until a week later. I was visiting my dad ( who was at this time fighting a very rare liver cancer ) when I felt myself being incontinent of urine so the very next day visited my GP who diagnosed me with Cauda Equina Syndrome and sent me straight to A&E. The very same day I was sent to Liverpool's Walton Centre and I had my first operation the next morning.

Six weeks later whilst as home recovering I felt my back go again and had the very same pain as before, I then went in as an emergency and had a second operation on my spine, unfortunately after the second operation I have been left with life changing complication and disabilities. I now live with severe nerve damage to my left leg, limited feeling to my left foot, muscle weakness to both my legs, reduced feelings to my genital area, severe cramping in my left leg, I am unable to pass urine by myself so I have to self catheterise, I have severe pain to my lower back and buttocks and am unable to stand for more that 5 minutes before having to sit down due to the pain. my mobility is very limited and I depend on Colin to take me out as I am unable to go alone.

During the same 3 years I have lost my best friend, idol and sole mate My Dad who lost his fight to cancer and died peacefully at home with all of his family by his side in 2016. My partner Colin has been by my side and has been my rock throughout even though he himself suffers with epilepsy and has grand mal seizures regularly. Colin has recently been diagnosed with Jack2 which is where his bone marrow produces to many platelets which has to be monitored closely every 3 months. Colin is also awaiting an operation to replace his Aorta and his heart valve as he has Biscupid Aortic Valve syndrome and yet he is always smiling and pulling me through my sad days.

I am asking for donations so that I can have a custom made, light weight, self propelled wheelchair that is more fitting to my personality and is easy for me to propel myself. Colin and I are both very aware that when he has his operation he will be unable to push me and will be unable to push me for some time after his operation. It would mean the world to me to be able to look after Colin like he has looked after me over the past 3 years. He has been by my side throughout my whole ordeal and has been my rock. I would like to be able to do the same for him but at the moment I am held back due to my current wheelchair not being up to scratch and is not easy for me to push myself.

I am in desperate need for some independence and to get my life back on track in time for Colin's operation. We have all as a family been through so much these past few years and I know it hasn't been easy for my children or for Colin to watch me go through the pain but I know that with the right wheelchair I will be able to gain some independence and will enable me to go out to the local shops on my own which will in turn boost my self confidence and wellbeing but will also give Colin peace of mind that I will be ok.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story xxx