Help Marlee Get Her Wheelchair & Fight against FA!

Hello friends and family-

I come to you today seeking support for a dear friend of mine, Marlee. Marlee and I met about a decade ago at Montclair State University back in 2014 when I was just a freshman. What neither of us knew when we first met was that Marlee was unknowingly suffering from a rare genetic condition known as Freidreich’s Ataxia (FA), a debilitating life shortening degenerative neuro-muscular disorder.

As time passed, we created more memories and grew to be incredibly close. With that time passage, Marlee’s FA became more apparent. I watched as my friend who once was able to join on random adventures and escapade across campus with me, suddenly lose complete control of not only her mobility but of her life. Getting a glass of water from the kitchen may sound like a simple task to you, however, for Marlee this is something that can be incredibly difficult and even dangerous. Symptoms she experiences include loss of coordination, fatigue, spine curvature, dizziness, nausea and more. Over time, Marlee’s condition has gotten worse. Just this year alone, she has sprained and broke her ankles and feet multiple times. She also sustained a hip sprain.

Marlee is in DIRE need of a customized wheelchair in order to carry out daily tasks and simply live, comfortably. The standard wheelchair she currently uses does not properly support her body to navigate, and even more so, does not support the scoliosis she has developed due to the FA. Insurances have denied her access to a customized wheelchair (3 times in a row) because they don’t believe she is “impaired” enough, despite being provided with countless paperwork from doctors verifying the blatant need for it. It infuriates me to know that on top of living with this degenerative incurable condition, that she too must live with the pain of impossible health insurance systems.

Marlee is many things but what she is not, is someone who is defined by FA. Marlee is a creative, a fashionista by trade, a writer, a vampire diaries enthusiast, (probably a hand model), a daughter, sister, and for sure, a ride or die friend. Despite what she goes through she always manages to put a smile on her face when she is able to hang out on days where she isn’t feeling sick. It’s one of the most admirable things I’ve witnessed and for that, I also dub her a WARRIOR.

Thank you friends and family for taking the time to read this. Please find it in your heart to support Marlee as she continues her fight against FA and raise money to get the customized wheelchair she truly needs. Sharing this link is another form of support that will be GREATLY appreciated. Share her story as much as you can to help us get her the mobility she needs.

Thank you.