A wheelchair means FREEDOM for Veronica

Hi, I'm Veronica, and I need a wheelchair to get out in the world! I have both physical and mental disabilities. I don't let them stop me from volunteering most of my free time for two disability nonprofits. In my free time, I like to train my service dogs with my friends, visit museums, and explore cities.

 

More and more, the arthritis in my hips has been interfering with my ability to do the things I love. My specialist says I have two forms of arthritis and I am on prescription painkillers. While he wants me to walk as much as I can for shorter distances (which I love to do—I walk every day!), he says that for longer outings, I should use a wheelchair.

 

I've tried different options over the years. I have a manual wheelchair, but the arthritis in my hands makes it very difficult for me to push myself. My husband is in a power wheelchair, so he can't push me. The arthritis in my hands also prevents me from using a cane or crutches.

 

Recently we traveled to California for our nonprofit work and I rented a portable power wheelchair that comes apart and fits into the trunk of a car. It was amazingly freeing! Instead of having to stop and rest all the time, I was able to do things like explore the city. My husband and I even managed to go over a mile and find a great beach. If I didn't have the wheelchair, we would've been stuck somewhere watching friends go off and enjoy life.

As I've been planning personal and professional events this summer, I've realized I'll need to rent this same wheelchair again and again so I'm not sidelined. But continually renting it doesn't make sense!

 

I don't see me getting a portable power wheelchair as an ending, but rather a beginning. It is the beginning of being able to get back to doing all the things I love like visiting museums, exploring cities, and getting where my volunteer work needs me, while still exercising my joints during my everyday activities around the house and on my daily walks.

 

The wheelchair I need (the same one I rented) isn't commonly available on the used market. It can go over bumps of 2 inches. This higher clearance is really important, because it means I can get in and out of my driveway in it.

 

Please help me get back to living my life to the fullest by donating to my wheelchair fund!