Ann-Maries Transport Appeal

Hello.  I hope you and your loved ones are safe and well in these strange strange times.

 
It is with a heavy heart and much regret that I find myself having to write this.

 
I am a 38 year mother of two lovely children.  I have been dealt a difficult hand.  In May 2016 I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.  The last five years have seen a steady and aggressive decline in my health.  I have gone from an active mother to a shadow of my former self.  At the time of diagnosis my children were 2 & 5.  They have lost out on so much.  I am no longer able to do all the normal parenting activities that most take for granted.  Below is a list of activities that I cannot do for / with my kids.  The list is not exclusive.

·       I once was able to climb in to the top bunk with my son, now I can't climb up               the stairs.

·       I cannot take them to medical appointments.

·       I cannot go to their GAA matches.

·       I cannot take them to birthday parties.

·       I cannot take them to the beach.

·       I cannot take them to the playground.

·       I cannot play with them on the floor.

·       I cannot go to their equestrian lessons.

·       I cannot take my daughter to her gymnastics lessons.

·       I cannot take them to the cinema.

·       I cannot take them swimming.

·       I cannot go camping with them.

·       I cannot drop them to their cousins for sleepovers.

 
The reason for most of the above obstacles is transport.  I can no longer drive a standard car.  And even if I was too be driven to a destination, I am not able to move from the car.  This is heartbreaking for me as a mother.  But it is devastating for my children to see all the other moms on the sidelines when theirs is at home or in the carpark.  Darragh is a sensitive child and he  worries a lot about my health.  Aisling has no memory of me ‘pre’ wheelchair’; that makes me so sad but maybe its beneficial to her.  They are two truly amazing children and they have faced more adversity in their short lives than many adults ever will.

My health has seen a massive decline in the past few weeks.  I was in hospital for two weeks - very difficult during lock down.  My mobility has taken a big hit.  Personal care, activities of daily living, childcare etc are now a major struggle.

 
I am respectfully asking you to please consider helping me to buy an appropriate car/van so that I can engage in Darragh and Aisling's activities and indeed lives again.  Because of the nature of my condition a vehicle would need to be extensively adapted.  The vehicle would also have to accommodate my family.    From speaking to various organization (Ireland Wheelchair Association, Irish Wheelchair Cars, Motability Ireland, etc), the cost is looking like €40,000.  I am fully aware that this is a huge amount of money, but I implore you to see the immense benefit it would provide to two beautiful children. Please note that I am not requesting help to buy a brand new or lavish vehicle.  This would be a second hand, reconditioned vehicle.  The money will also cover the cost of adapting the vehicle – anchor points, an electric ramp, hand controls, dropping the floor to allow wheelchair access, etc.


 I will be eternally grateful if you could see your way to helping me.  Please.