Help Evie get an Electric Wheelchair

What happened?

My name is Evie and I’m 23. I first became unwell in 2019. I went from walking for hours each day, travelling around the country taking part in healthcare events, to being unable to move from the sofa and in constant pain. I had been sharing my experience of mental illness to create change, and starting to live my life after my teenage years had been lost to mental health struggles. After a year of my health concerns being dismissed due to my history of mental illness I finally received a coeliac disease diagnosis and was told my symptoms would slowly improve as I recovered. Although many of them did, the fatigue and pain have not decreased, and I was diagnosed with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (M.E/CFS) earlier this year.

How has my life been impacted?

I spend most of my time resting at home and trying to recover from expending energy on activities such as showering and getting dressed. I’m able to leave the house for a few hours each week, usually for therapy, and use a walking stick to support the fatigue and dizziness I experience. I’m not able to walk for more than about 20 minutes though, and even then I pay the consequences by experiencing Post Exertional Malaise that can take me days to recover from.

I recently borrowed an electric wheelchair from a friend so I could attend Pride, and it proved to be life changing! I was able to cope with the entire one hour march without needing to take breaks or feeling unwell, since I was already sitting down and resting. Since then I have also been able to go food shopping with my family and even attend a workshop as a Lived Experience Expert for Mental Health Services. Although I still needed to rest after going outside, the fatigue crash was nowhere as intense as it would have been had I attempted to walk.

I am returning the wheelchair to my friend this week, and along with it my feelings of independence and freedom. I hadn’t realised how much I’d been feeling isolated, lonely and depressed with my quality of life until I challenged my internalised ableism, used a mobility aid and experienced what living feels like again.

How would the funds help me?

I am not eligible for an electric wheelchair on the NHS since they do not support people who only need one outside. I’m also unable to personally buy one as I’m on benefits due to my disability leaving me unable to work, and my benefits are lower since I am under the age of 25. Having financial support to purchase an electric wheelchair would allow me to start living my life again, I wouldn’t have to worry about the embarrassment of needing to sit on the floor in public when the fatigue becomes overwhelming, and I’d be able to start taking on small amounts of work again.

This is the wheelchair I had been borrowing and would purchase with the funds: https://www.careco.co.uk/item-s-wc09070/foldalite/ It is foldable, so can fit into cars, and small enough for use on buses and inside buildings, and the anti-tip wheels and electromagnetic breaks help with my anxiety around feeling safe and secure. It costs a total of £2199.99 with VAT relief.

While there is no cure for ME/CFS and there are many things I can’t do, having a wheelchair would let me focus on the small things that I can do and that gives me hope for the idea that I could not only live life, but start to enjoy it again.

Any additional funds raised would go towards equipment that would allow me to be more independent and safe. This would include a shower chair so I can shower safely and more regularly (£29.99) https://www.careco.co.uk/item-p-ba06036/adjustable-shower-stool/ , a travel case for the wheelchair so my family can easily carry it and transport it when needed (£299). https://www.careco.co.uk/item-p-wc10047/foldalite-foldalite-pro-travel-case/ and a bag that fits on the arm of the wheelchair so I can carry a bag independently and without the fear of it falling off my lap or the back of the chair (£34.35). https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1221989622/waterproof-buggy-stroller-pushchair?click_key=edda8e6ef55e0bb261666867720db3a250da02bd%3A1221989622&click_sum=c31fffde&ref=shop_home_active_5&pro=1&variation0=2624238306

Get to know me! Who am I?

I’m 23 and enjoy drawing, painting and sewing. Before I became unwell I worked in activism, particularly around Mental Health Rights for children and young people. As a teenager I had some quite negative experiences with CAMHS (Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services) and Adult Mental Health Services, and wanted to make sure that future young people didn’t have the same experiences as me. I worked and volunteered with organisations such as the NHS Youth Forum, The Health Foundation, Leaders Unlocked, iWill IMHN (Independent Mental Health Network) and Off The Record (Bristol). This involved a range of work from delivering training to Mental Health Professionals, running workshops at schools, working on NHS guidance and planning the future of mental health services. I really enjoyed doing this work, and it was incredibly therapeutic to be able to use my own negative experiences for positive change! Since my health deteriorated I have had to step back from many of these roles, and am currently only able to take part in activism a few hours a month. While I was borrowing a wheelchair, I was able to attend an afternoon in-person workshop for the first time in years, and I can’t put into words how much I enjoyed being able to make a difference again. Although I won’t be able to do the same level of volunteering and activism I did before, I’ll be able to attend events and workshops again more regularly.

Outside of my activism, I draw and illustrate when I can, which again is a lot less than I used to. A lot of my artwork is based around space themed metaphors about what it's like to live with a mental illness, and I share them in hopes that it helps others feel less alone in their experiences. I am also able to draw from bed or while lying on the sofa if I feel well enough, so it’s something I can still enjoy.

As my friends and family know, it wouldn’t be an ‘about me’ without me mentioning my cat. I have a senior cat called Gabby and he’s been by my side for 13 years through the ups and downs, he’s been here the whole journey and on the days when life gets tough, I know I have to keep fighting- after all, who else is going to give him extra cat treats and cuddles?

Thank you for reading about my journey. Any support no matter how big or small will go towards letting me start to live my life again.