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Help Tabitha maintain her independence
Donation protected
My name is Tabitha and I have been a wheelchair user for 7 1/2 years.
In brief I woke up one morning with no feeling or movement from the waist down. It is still being investigated as to why this happened. I did manage to kind of get back on my feet (with assistance) for a short period of time but following a fairly dramatic fall I am unable to walk, stand or weight bear.
In the past 18 months to 2 years my back has been progressively deteriorating and I have an appointment with a neurosurgeon at the end of November with a view to having spinal surgery. My latest MRI shows I have prolapses at: L2-L3, L3-L4 and L5-S1. There is impingement of the nerve root at L3 and L5.
This is incredibly painful to live with and is reducing my mobility and independence which is frustrating for someone who is fiercely independent. I am also currently unable to train and compete in wheelchair tennis which I am missing massively.
I am about to start a new job as a Research and Development Officer in Non-Cancer Haematology. Unfortunately the hospital site I work on is incredibly hilly and I am unable to get around the site on my own. It is humiliating to have to ask a member of staff to push you to your next meeting.
An assessment has been done and in order for me to work and get aroud independently, I need a power attachment for my wheelchair, along with a lighter chair to help protect my back from further damage and to keep me as pain free as possible.
Access to work are able to help a little but I am still required to pay a percentage myself. This amounts to around £3000 which is obviously why I'm being forced to set up crowdfunding. I hate asking for help for anything but without the new equipment i will have to question whether it is safe, or wise, to remain in employment.
I really would appreciate any help you might be able to offer, and even if you can't help financially, please share my GoFundMe.
Thank you so much for your time.
Organizer
Tabitha Fung
Organizer