Keep Melissa Rolling with a New Wheelchair
Donation protected
UPDATE: Thank you SO MUCH, everyone! With your generosity and support, we’ve met our goal and are no longer seeking donations for this fundraiser. If the amount collected exceeds the cost of a new chair, the remainder will go toward doctor visits at Innovative Research for management of Dysautonomia and EDS. THANK YOU! ❤️
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This bendy bitch needs to roll.
That’s the “TL;DR” version. The long version is that I’m Melissa: a mother of a 7-year old boy, a wife, a lover of Star Wars and lowbrow art... and an unwilling collector of chronic illnesses in Clearwater, Florida. And I could use a little help.

I have Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, a genetic connective tissue disorder that causes constant severe joint pain and frequent dislocations. Basically my body’s collagen- the glue holding my skin, blood vessels, tendons together- is too soft and flexible. There’s no cure.
It causes with a bunch of other issues, including Dysautonomia. Imagine the body’s automatic systems, like digestion and heart rate and blood pressure, were operated by a 1950’s phone operator. They connect wires and things do what they should. With Dysautonomia, my operator is a handsy toddler ripping out those wires and plugging them back in at random. I’ve been diagnosed with two forms of it already, POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome) and Gastroparesis.
EDS and POTS are evil twins. One causes a ton of pain, fragility and instability. The other causes dizziness and fainting when I stand or walk. Together, they really kick my ass. I fall many times a week, sometimes multiple times per day. Each fall is a risk. Each fall causes me even more pain and damage. Each fall affects my functionality, and impacts how well I can care for my son.

I use a cane daily for hip instability for very short distances (like paying for gas) and a “temporary/transport” wheelchair for everything else. April of 2019 has brought a renewed sense of urgency: two unusual blackouts and severe chest pain. After a hospital stay, the cardiologist determined the POTS is worsening.
Which brings me to getting a new wheelchair.
Mine’s super impractical. Purchased used, it’s HUGE, weighs over 40lbs and is very cumbersome “hospital” style. Made for someone at least twice my size, the scale makes it difficult propel without injury and it’s impossible inside my carpeted apartment. Only meant to be occasional/temporary, it’s falling apart. It vibrates and wobbles- making my joint and neuromuscular pain much worse. It’s painful to even be *pushed* in.
I’m so very grateful for the opportunities I’ve been able to have because of my current chair. But now my health demands something practical.
I need a one I can use in my home. One I can disassemble and load into my car independently, even with muscle atrophy. One that allows a full range of motion to conserve energy. The “Updates” section has the quote that includes specifications for my unique needs- and it’s designed for a decade of daily use!

The past 4 years have been a wild ride, as EDS swiftly took over my life and forced me out of my career as a Licensed Perinatal Massage Therapist and Doula. Being under-insured means we’re responsible for almost all my health expenses. Chronic pain and unpredictable lapses in consciousness left me unable to work, and after much deliberation and many tears, I filed for Disability in 2016. My hope is that with greater access to treatment, I can have a better quality of life. More functionality could mean I might even have a shot of returning to work!
Unfortunately, even with the support of my wonderful doctor (Dr. Treviño of Innovative Research) and lawyer, my Disability case was denied in February of 2019 after two years of appeals and a hearing. I was gutted. I have to start the process from scratch and it could be another 2 years of fighting. We were planning to use the award toward this new wheelchair, and never intended to ask for help with it. Our family’s income is caught up in day-to-day living expenses of a family of three with a disabled household member while we try again.

Something’s gotta give, you know? Guess that thing is my pride! Haha
We really don’t like asking for help but that’s how it goes. Anything contributed would go far in helping me minimize pain or further injury. It would matter far more to me than I can express. Anything greater than the cost of the chair will be used toward medical expenses, including treatment for Dysautonomia.
In gratitude, we’d like to offer a gift to donors of an original sketch or sticker by my husband, artist Moy Loera . Please don’t hesitate to contact me using the button below if you’d like to receive one- We’d love to thank you, at least in some small way. Already, I’ve been so humbled by the support. My life was turned upside down and I’m extremely lucky to have such unwavering love and friendship through it. Thanks so much for sharing and supporting me! Love you guys. ❤️
———
This bendy bitch needs to roll.
That’s the “TL;DR” version. The long version is that I’m Melissa: a mother of a 7-year old boy, a wife, a lover of Star Wars and lowbrow art... and an unwilling collector of chronic illnesses in Clearwater, Florida. And I could use a little help.
I have Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, a genetic connective tissue disorder that causes constant severe joint pain and frequent dislocations. Basically my body’s collagen- the glue holding my skin, blood vessels, tendons together- is too soft and flexible. There’s no cure.
It causes with a bunch of other issues, including Dysautonomia. Imagine the body’s automatic systems, like digestion and heart rate and blood pressure, were operated by a 1950’s phone operator. They connect wires and things do what they should. With Dysautonomia, my operator is a handsy toddler ripping out those wires and plugging them back in at random. I’ve been diagnosed with two forms of it already, POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome) and Gastroparesis.
EDS and POTS are evil twins. One causes a ton of pain, fragility and instability. The other causes dizziness and fainting when I stand or walk. Together, they really kick my ass. I fall many times a week, sometimes multiple times per day. Each fall is a risk. Each fall causes me even more pain and damage. Each fall affects my functionality, and impacts how well I can care for my son.
I use a cane daily for hip instability for very short distances (like paying for gas) and a “temporary/transport” wheelchair for everything else. April of 2019 has brought a renewed sense of urgency: two unusual blackouts and severe chest pain. After a hospital stay, the cardiologist determined the POTS is worsening.
Which brings me to getting a new wheelchair.
Mine’s super impractical. Purchased used, it’s HUGE, weighs over 40lbs and is very cumbersome “hospital” style. Made for someone at least twice my size, the scale makes it difficult propel without injury and it’s impossible inside my carpeted apartment. Only meant to be occasional/temporary, it’s falling apart. It vibrates and wobbles- making my joint and neuromuscular pain much worse. It’s painful to even be *pushed* in.
I’m so very grateful for the opportunities I’ve been able to have because of my current chair. But now my health demands something practical.
I need a one I can use in my home. One I can disassemble and load into my car independently, even with muscle atrophy. One that allows a full range of motion to conserve energy. The “Updates” section has the quote that includes specifications for my unique needs- and it’s designed for a decade of daily use!
The past 4 years have been a wild ride, as EDS swiftly took over my life and forced me out of my career as a Licensed Perinatal Massage Therapist and Doula. Being under-insured means we’re responsible for almost all my health expenses. Chronic pain and unpredictable lapses in consciousness left me unable to work, and after much deliberation and many tears, I filed for Disability in 2016. My hope is that with greater access to treatment, I can have a better quality of life. More functionality could mean I might even have a shot of returning to work!
Unfortunately, even with the support of my wonderful doctor (Dr. Treviño of Innovative Research) and lawyer, my Disability case was denied in February of 2019 after two years of appeals and a hearing. I was gutted. I have to start the process from scratch and it could be another 2 years of fighting. We were planning to use the award toward this new wheelchair, and never intended to ask for help with it. Our family’s income is caught up in day-to-day living expenses of a family of three with a disabled household member while we try again.
Something’s gotta give, you know? Guess that thing is my pride! Haha
We really don’t like asking for help but that’s how it goes. Anything contributed would go far in helping me minimize pain or further injury. It would matter far more to me than I can express. Anything greater than the cost of the chair will be used toward medical expenses, including treatment for Dysautonomia.
In gratitude, we’d like to offer a gift to donors of an original sketch or sticker by my husband, artist Moy Loera . Please don’t hesitate to contact me using the button below if you’d like to receive one- We’d love to thank you, at least in some small way. Already, I’ve been so humbled by the support. My life was turned upside down and I’m extremely lucky to have such unwavering love and friendship through it. Thanks so much for sharing and supporting me! Love you guys. ❤️
Organizer
Melissa Loera
Organizer
Clearwater, FL