Help Tory exercise into a new life!

A very short introduction to Tory:

Tory is a woman in her late thirties living on BC’s Sunshine Coast. She has a cozy apartment, an underproductive little apple tree, and perhaps too many books (as all good people should). Tory also has the respect and love of everyone who knows her personally. I think this is largely because Tory has surprising hidden strength. This strength would only be evident to those who know that she has a lifelong familiarity with disability, discrimination and uncertainty that has (incredibly) failed to blunt her character. Tory is caring and selfless and always afraid of being inconvenient. She has a strong sense of justice and courtesy. She is also optimistic, not in the “Wish upon a star” way, but in the “Do the research, do the work, make it happen” way. Her example has often been a source of resilience for others.

Since she was a child, Tory has battled against two great impediments: a learning disability and inexorable weight gain. The weight gain, combined with hyper mobility in her ligaments means she has suffered more than 200 falls which are increasingly dangerous, and from which she cannot get up without assistance. Her limited mobility leaves her isolated and unable to work, drive, or take public transit. She has had many visits to hospitals and medical specialists in her lifetime, which mostly culminated in the underwhelming advice “Eat less, exercise more.” No doctor was ever able to provide her with a diagnosis, but after THREE DECADES, Tory discovered it herself, and had it confirmed by the test no specialist had ever suggested.

Fragile X 101

Tory has a genetic condition called “Fragile X” which amounts to having some data missing from one of her X chromosomes. The symptoms mapped almost perfectly to her lifelong experience. Armed with this knowledge, and with the help of a fitness, diet, and wellness regimen that she had begun and developed over the course of years, Tory was finally losing weight and regaining strength.

Around this time Tory had another fall and suffered a concussion. She had had many concussions to this point and this one left her in such pain that she was forced to spend six weeks in a pitch-dark room, unable to listen to music or even read. Six weeks. Even after this time, due to the lingering symptoms, Tory was unable to return to her cherished (and effective) fitness routine.

One year later she suffered another fall and broke her leg. She spent two months in hospital and is only now beginning her recovery. After a lifetime, Tory finally has a path to better health and self-sufficiency, but right now, even going for a walk is hazardous. Fortunately, once again, Tory knows what to do…

NuStep T4r

The NuStep is a piece of exercise equipment, similar to an elliptical machine but one that is used while seated. It allows her to increase strength and lose weight without having to be afraid of another devastating fall. It also will help to tighten her ligaments, PREVENTING further falls. She has seen real, visible change since she started using it, but now she is unable to safely go to the gym where it is found. For Tory this is lifesaving equipment, and she needs access to it in her home. Unfortunately, the cost is unbearable to her.

The financial target of this campaign will cover the cost of equipment, delivery, and installation. It also has the potential to help Tory finally achieve a quality of life most of us take for granted. Tory now sees a future she can look forward to, but she needs help to reach it. Please support her with whatever you can and share this with anyone you think will agree that it’s time Tory got something without having to fight for it. She’s certainly earned it.