Help Heathers Spinal Muscular Atrophy for her 40th
Donation protected
Making this Go Fund Me and asking for help from my community has been a hard and vulnerable decision to make. This subject is very sensitive to me and over the years has been difficult to talk about. But as my 40th birthday approaches I'm finally allowing myself to ask for what I need. I'm ready to have a more fulfilling life and do normal things I haven't been able to.
My story and diagnosis:
The first time I ever noticed I was different was I was six years old PE class. I could not run. In fact, I have never ran. I fall all the time, was not able to get off the floor or low surfaces without help and going up stairs is next to . I would be made fun of relentlessly. My family were Christian Scientists so they did not believe in going to the doctor. Which was unfortunate because if I had gone at that point I may have been able to receive treatment. I didn't get diagnosed until I was an adult. I went myself and finally found out it was SMA. Spinal Muscular Atrophy is a rare neuromuscular disorder in which the nerve does not signal the muscle to work. It's degenerative so I am losing strength as time goes on. Thankfully I am a type 3 but most people with it are type 1 and 2 and their life in a wheelchair or often die at birth. Genetic testing has confirmed I have this gene.
Why I need a scooter:
1. I have seen a decline in my ability to walk in the recent years. I am only able to walk very short distances that are flat. I have a hard time going up hills and have to take many breaks. I am still prone to falling and am always nervous about falling in public because I cannot get up by myself. I literally have to have a strong person pick me up which is really embarrassing.
2. I want to be independent and not have to rely on others. Danny has been so so helpful and supportive but I don't want to depend on him or strangers to get around.
3. There are many places that I like to go that are becoming more and more difficult to access. It causes a ton of anxiety. Luckily I was able to go on disability and get Medicare which allowed me to get a scooter. This changed my life BUT in the last year I have had it it has broken down countless times. Medicare has strict rules and will not cover a replacement. The one I have is literally supposed to be used inside my house. What a joke!
These are some of the places I would like to go that I currently have a really hard time getting around.
-My very hilly neighborhood
-Hiking trails
-The beach
-Theme parks
-Festivals
-Traveling
My story and diagnosis:
The first time I ever noticed I was different was I was six years old PE class. I could not run. In fact, I have never ran. I fall all the time, was not able to get off the floor or low surfaces without help and going up stairs is next to . I would be made fun of relentlessly. My family were Christian Scientists so they did not believe in going to the doctor. Which was unfortunate because if I had gone at that point I may have been able to receive treatment. I didn't get diagnosed until I was an adult. I went myself and finally found out it was SMA. Spinal Muscular Atrophy is a rare neuromuscular disorder in which the nerve does not signal the muscle to work. It's degenerative so I am losing strength as time goes on. Thankfully I am a type 3 but most people with it are type 1 and 2 and their life in a wheelchair or often die at birth. Genetic testing has confirmed I have this gene.
Why I need a scooter:
1. I have seen a decline in my ability to walk in the recent years. I am only able to walk very short distances that are flat. I have a hard time going up hills and have to take many breaks. I am still prone to falling and am always nervous about falling in public because I cannot get up by myself. I literally have to have a strong person pick me up which is really embarrassing.
2. I want to be independent and not have to rely on others. Danny has been so so helpful and supportive but I don't want to depend on him or strangers to get around.
3. There are many places that I like to go that are becoming more and more difficult to access. It causes a ton of anxiety. Luckily I was able to go on disability and get Medicare which allowed me to get a scooter. This changed my life BUT in the last year I have had it it has broken down countless times. Medicare has strict rules and will not cover a replacement. The one I have is literally supposed to be used inside my house. What a joke!
These are some of the places I would like to go that I currently have a really hard time getting around.
-My very hilly neighborhood
-Hiking trails
-The beach
-Theme parks
-Festivals
-Traveling
What I'm asking for:
-An all terrain mobility scooter that has a good battery so it can go long distance-$4500
-An all terrain mobility scooter that has a good battery so it can go long distance-$4500
-A lift gate for my car so that I can transport it-$2000
-A hitch to attach lift gate plus installation-$500
See the pictures below for examples of these.
As a gift for your kind donation you will receive a ticket to a Dreamupright virtual magic show!
I love you and thank you so much! sharing this helps too:)
xoxox,
Heather
-A hitch to attach lift gate plus installation-$500
See the pictures below for examples of these.
As a gift for your kind donation you will receive a ticket to a Dreamupright virtual magic show!
I love you and thank you so much! sharing this helps too:)
xoxox,
Heather
Organizer
Heather Pritchett
Organizer
Crestline, CA