Donate for Gloria's Life-Saving Wheelchair

GREETINGS ALL! I have some good news. The company that distributes THE DRACO STANDING POWER WHEELCHAIR has informed me that there is a possibility of obtaining it for significantly less if I purchase it directly from them in the UK - So the new target amount is $5,000.00!!

Thus far the total amount raised is $1,672.00

THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY. That means the balance target is $3,328.00 -

I believe that GOD THE LIVING SPIRIT ALMIGHTY put me in touch with them. AMEN!

Please share the link with your friends and associates.

Thanks for your generosity and blessings.

Greetings all! Most of you know me - but for those of you who receive this and are not familiar with me, my name is Gloria DULAN-Wilson. I am a combination journalist, blogger, activist, speaker, and ECLECTICALLY BLACK woman who has had the privilege and pleasure of having interviewed and written about some pretty wonderful and dynamic people over the decades that God has blessed me to be here.

I am putting together this GoFundMe in my behalf because I lost my ability to walk nearly 4 years ago during the sequestation of Covid. No, I did not have covid! But I had started to lose my ability to walk without pain, drugs or a cane during the late 2019 - and was undergoing a specialized aquatherapy to restore my ability to walk at a facility called Aquahab in Philadelphia. I was beginning to make progress, however everything shut down during March of 2020, and by April of 2020, I had completely lost my capacity to walk or stand - and was basically bed bound, except for the Mobility Scooter I had purchased to be able to get around. The scooter was a work horse and made it possible to be able to participate in many events subsequent to the pandemic, attend cover stories, and continue with my writing, etc.

However, the scooter "DIED" literally in July. Simultaneously, the nurse practitioner who pays regular visits to chart my progress informed me that my being in a seated position 24 hours a day was causing my muscles, limbs and other parts of my body to atropjhy, blocking circulation, and causing huge lesions on my legs and feet.

It was recommended that I transition from a scooter to a specialized power wheelchair with a built in stand up feature, would made it possible to allow the circulation from my legs back to my heart. It's a specialized device, that may be covered by Medicare and Medicaid, but takes an act of God and Congress to get - even though my primary care physician has declared it a medical necessity. I was also told by the Durable Medical Sales representative that they did not sell these devices, and it would be practically impossible to get one. That turned out to be untrue - however, most of those who deal with medical equipment are trying to shove their outdated devices on us, while they still can, and collect a commission while doing so.

As I began to do research, I found that there are several power standing wheelchairs, that range in price from moderate to monsterous. My health is very important to me. And I would not be the first Black woman to be told that something was impossible, or would take an inordinant amount of time, while others are receiving the benefit of life saving devices.

I am putting together this GoFundMe in hopes that you will assist me in obtaining the Standing Wheelchair so I can save my lower limbs, regain my ability to be of use to the brothers and sisters in my community.

I've been doing quite a bit of research as to who makes the standing Wheelchair, and who has the best features, and have come across the DRACO Standing Wheelchair - which ranges in cost from $9,000 to $13,000 - depending on the vendor. It works indoors and outdoors, and has unique therapeutic features that enhance circulation in my legs and feet.

Most of you who know me know that I generally don't solicit assistance from my friends or relatives; unless it's dire. Well, this has become dire - since I've not been able to leave my home in more than a month, and also because poor circulation generates clots. Additionally, even with my primary physician's medial necessity, I've been informed it may take Medicare/medicaid two to six months before I receive the mobility device. That could basically jeopardize me for an embolism, or other dangers that result with the blockage in the circulatory system. The formal term is Chronic Venous Insufficiency. I've been to Johns Hopkins Hospital, Penn Medicine, Lankenau Hospital and the verdict is that the lack of blood flow from my legs to my heart can generate clots and other dangers.

Three years ago, in October 2021 I had two clots travel up to my veins towards my lungs, but, thanks to the good doctors at Penn medicine, were caught in time and dissolved.

At this juncture, keeping my legs elevated - as some have recommended - is not sufficient, nor are the "compression garments" they prescribe. The blockage is a result of my inability to stand or walk .

Of course, I am always looking out for a miracle and am researching doctors who specialize in healing CVI. And I stay prayed up. But being assisted in standing, and the other therapeutic benefits of the standing wheelchair will be a GodSend.

I thank you for taking the time to read this; and appreciate whatever contribution you feel moved to make to make this happen.

Stay Blessed & ECLECTICALLY BLACK

Gloria DULAN-Wilson