You Are My Legs: Medical Equipment For Jesseica ✨️♿️
Donation protected
Hi! My name is Jesseica. I'm 43 years old. Born on the historical East Coast of the ever hopeful, U.S.A., and living out my days in the beautiful Pacific Northwest.
I have two amazing children that are the light of life and 3 precious furbabies!
In the Beforetime, when I was a young beautiful woman, I worked with the men in construction. From renovating houses and wooden water vessels, to designing and installing art inspired garden structures, I thoroughly enjoyed fixing and making things.
(As a late diagnosed ADHD'er, my former career choices make much more sense )
I used to take the kids to the numerous beaches and parks that we are so lucky to enjoy. We'd bring an empty bag each to fill with any litter we found along the way.
I used to love walking the Vancouver Waterfront. I'd find pieces of historic pottery and porcelain. I'd love to share the tale of how it got there, with any stranger passing along the way. Sparking an interest of local history that might not have otherwise existed; that's powerful ✨️
I used to be strong.
I used to be the Hero.
Then...
At the onset of Covid-19, before we had even given it a name, my entire crew at work became sick. I got sick too. It felt like the flu or a really bad cold.
Two weeks later, I was finally feeling better enough to go to work.
I hadn't driven very far when my right foot started growing numb. It was weird! I began to worry immediately.
It was so strange that I drove to my mom's house instead of work. Fortunately, it was a short drive. As I walked into the house, the numbness and pain drastically increased. I collapsed at the foot of the stairs leading up to my mom's bedroom. I literally couldn't move my legs anymore!
"MOM!!!" I shouted in surprise. As pain wracked my body, I crashed to the floor.
My amazing mom went into super hero mode and quickly drove us to the hospital. While she drove, lightening was striking me from the inside! My body arched and writhed under the seat belt. The only thing keeping me from crumbling to the car floorboards. When we arrived to the Emergency Room, I couldn't get out by myself. I was paralyzed! Waist down and wheelchair bound; all within one hour.
The virus tricked my overstressed immune system into making my own body, my T-cells, attack the myelin sheath covering my spinal cord. (Imagine a sausage and the skin around it. Or a vacuum cord that the puppy chewed a hole through and now you're trying to operate it outside in the rain.)
Transverse Myelitis changed my life.
And I've finally learned to let it for the better.
Excitedly. Painfully. I have struggled to learn how to walk again. Albeit, I look akin to a drunken toddler. Wobbling and waving my hands out for stability.
I am mostly numb. My lesion sitting at T-2-T-5 on my spine. That's a big hole! I'm broken starting at my bra line and going down.
I use a wheelchair for any distance outside my home. My legs are now wheels that I always ALWAYS have to remember to keep charged. If something happens to the wheelchair where it breaks down, I'm completely stranded. Stuck. With no way to rescue myself.
It's a scary place to be.
That is why this fundraiser is so important to me.
Your support means the World to me. I couldn't do this without you. I pay the love forward every chance I get.
There are several medical items I desperately need now and/or need to replace in the future.
The best solution to my travel needs will always be, Wheels and Speed! Here's my dream solution.
Check her out!
700w 15 mph of freedom!!!
I spend SO much time in bed these days. It's the only place that truly supports my aching body. I do get up and move, move, MOVE! But my bed is my office space. My art gallery. My respite from pain.
This link takes you to my dream bed ✨️
Traveling around my community is healing and precious to me. When my current chair breaks, this would be:
I need other items like a:
Until I get a new medical bed I really need an:
Reflux is an awful side effect of my injury.
I can't clean like I used to. This sweep and mop robot is what I really need!
Getting stuck in the elements happens often in my wheelchair. I need a good raincoat.
Keeping my legs warm and dry is a feat! During the winter waterproof pants will keep me warm and dry as I travel in my wheelchair.
Fundraising team: Team Legs! (3)
Jesseica Elliott
Organizer
Vancouver, WA
Jackie Solorio
Team member
Jullienne Adams
Team member