Sarah Needs a New Powerchair

I'm Sarah, a disability, fashion, and lifestyle content creator, writer, and activist, from Liverpool, UK. I'm 36 and in desperate need of a new powerchair!

I have hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, Mast Cell Activation Syndrome, Endometriosis, Hemiplegic Migraine, and ADHD. I live with pain and fatigue every day and require a powerchair to help me live a more independent life.

My powerchair means everything to me; I'm not me without it; I can't go out and experience life, see my friends, socialise, or do the things I love without my powerchair. It's my freedom.

My current powerchair has been deemed unsafe by a wheelchair engineer and is beyond repair. It is unfit for purpose, yet I have no choice but to use it and put myself in danger. I have no other choice because I cannot get around without my powerchair, and yet I am putting myself at significant risk each time I use it.

The suspension on my powerchair no longer works and going down the slightest slope, my chair tips forward, and I nearly fall out. The back wheels lift off the ground, and my boyfriend has to stand on the back of my chair so that all six wheels reengage with the floor. This is extremely dangerous and means I cannot go out independently, which is hugely disappointing and negatively impacts my mental health. I love going out with my dog and my young nephew, but I cannot do this alone with my current powerchair.

Another main issue is one leg rest has been glued back together multiple times and is constantly falling off because the glue does not last. The other does not stay in position. This causes me immense pain in my knees and hips. I need individual elevating leg rests to control pain and fatigue when I am using my powerchair

My suspension failed me when crossing a road, and my leg rest slammed into the floor, causing that to fall off and break; the back wheels of my powerchair raised from the ground, and I was stranded in the middle of the road. Cars had to stop and help me; I was crying; it was a mess.

This is one of many issues I have had with my current powerchair.

I'm raising funds for a Quantum Edge 3.0 powerchair with tilt, recline, individual powered elevating leg rests, and iLevel. iLevel would be crucial for me because it means I can be more independent and reach high shelves; I also don't have to strain my neck to talk to people, which means less pain and more freedom.

The individual powered elevating leg rests will be vital as they will enable me to put my legs into a position that relieves some of the pain that I experience daily. Powered leg rests would allow me to reposition my legs even when fatigued.

Powered tilt and recline would also enable me to alleviate some pain and fatigue whilst using my powerchair.

I can't get a powerchair through Motability as I lease a WAV (wheelchair accessible vehicle) with them, and you can't have both. My local wheelchair services are also not helping, so fundraising is my only option.

Please donate if you can, and SHARE!!!

Thank you.

Sarah x