new wheelchair and freedom!
Donation protected
Hello,
My name is Chris. I am married and have five lovely children.
In August 2011 I discovered I was Type 2 Diabetic, my GP called me urgently in to her office after a routine check up. She gravely told me I had to go immediately on the highest dose of medications available. I was shocked but determined to succeed with a change in diet and increased visits to the gym. But something else was waiting for me.
I returned to my GP with symptoms of numbness and pain in my feet and shooting pains in my legs. More tests ensued, and the pain in my legs and feet increased. One day I collapsed whilst walking down my stairs at home, the pain was so bad I was sobbing like a child. I returned to my GP who told me I had small fiber peripheral neuropathy (damage to the small fibre nerves) due to undiagnosed diabetes spanning some ten years. The damage was done, and whilst my diabetes was slowly coming under control, the damage to the small nerves was irreparable and would only get worse.
By now I was walking using a stick, but not able to walk very far. My GP prescribed drugs with the aim to ease some of the pain. They didn't work. I collapsed in public and at home again. - being diabetic the bruises show for longer (so embarrassing). Months went by and I was prescribed different pain killers and saw more specialists. In the mean time I began using crutches and I purchased a cheap wheelchair (just in case) and I also bought some walking sticks.
By this time I had now lost my job.
As time went by my prescription was changed and then increased. The distances I could walk were also greatly diminished to the extent that they were now non-existent. Some days I could manage to walk unassisted a whole car length, but most days I could not. The pain never left, it was numbed slightly but any use of my legs was soon to knock me out. I found that the drugs I had been prescribed left me with little or no energy.
If I do go out I use the wheelchair, with my wife pushing me. I cannot push myself around because the heavy, cheap wheelchair I bought off the internet takes all my energy. This means I have no independence. Most days are spent in bed. It has been like this for three years.
Two of my children are Autistic; because of my lack of mobility I am not able to spend any quality time with them, despite having a car we cannot leave the house because the current wheelchair is too bulky and heavy to put in the car. This means if we go out as a family I have to leave either my wheelchair at home, or a child!!
Recently I met a gentleman from Sunrise Medical. He told me about their super lightweight wheelchairs. He visited my house and I simply could not believe how easy it was for me to manouver myself around!
At last I would get back my independance, I had the very real possibility of being able to leave the house! I could take my children to the park!
But there was a kick. These fantastic super lightweight wheelchairs are bespoke (made specifically for the user) and they are not cheap.
For me to get my freedom I have to find £3,000.
So I am appealing to you, the general public;
If you can find it in your heart to help me buy my new wheelchair, you will give me my independence back, and my children their Daddy back.
Thank you,
Chris.
My name is Chris. I am married and have five lovely children.
In August 2011 I discovered I was Type 2 Diabetic, my GP called me urgently in to her office after a routine check up. She gravely told me I had to go immediately on the highest dose of medications available. I was shocked but determined to succeed with a change in diet and increased visits to the gym. But something else was waiting for me.
I returned to my GP with symptoms of numbness and pain in my feet and shooting pains in my legs. More tests ensued, and the pain in my legs and feet increased. One day I collapsed whilst walking down my stairs at home, the pain was so bad I was sobbing like a child. I returned to my GP who told me I had small fiber peripheral neuropathy (damage to the small fibre nerves) due to undiagnosed diabetes spanning some ten years. The damage was done, and whilst my diabetes was slowly coming under control, the damage to the small nerves was irreparable and would only get worse.
By now I was walking using a stick, but not able to walk very far. My GP prescribed drugs with the aim to ease some of the pain. They didn't work. I collapsed in public and at home again. - being diabetic the bruises show for longer (so embarrassing). Months went by and I was prescribed different pain killers and saw more specialists. In the mean time I began using crutches and I purchased a cheap wheelchair (just in case) and I also bought some walking sticks.
By this time I had now lost my job.
As time went by my prescription was changed and then increased. The distances I could walk were also greatly diminished to the extent that they were now non-existent. Some days I could manage to walk unassisted a whole car length, but most days I could not. The pain never left, it was numbed slightly but any use of my legs was soon to knock me out. I found that the drugs I had been prescribed left me with little or no energy.
If I do go out I use the wheelchair, with my wife pushing me. I cannot push myself around because the heavy, cheap wheelchair I bought off the internet takes all my energy. This means I have no independence. Most days are spent in bed. It has been like this for three years.
Two of my children are Autistic; because of my lack of mobility I am not able to spend any quality time with them, despite having a car we cannot leave the house because the current wheelchair is too bulky and heavy to put in the car. This means if we go out as a family I have to leave either my wheelchair at home, or a child!!
Recently I met a gentleman from Sunrise Medical. He told me about their super lightweight wheelchairs. He visited my house and I simply could not believe how easy it was for me to manouver myself around!
At last I would get back my independance, I had the very real possibility of being able to leave the house! I could take my children to the park!
But there was a kick. These fantastic super lightweight wheelchairs are bespoke (made specifically for the user) and they are not cheap.
For me to get my freedom I have to find £3,000.
So I am appealing to you, the general public;
If you can find it in your heart to help me buy my new wheelchair, you will give me my independence back, and my children their Daddy back.
Thank you,
Chris.
Organizer
Chris Welch
Organizer
