A former student paramedic has 8 days to raise funds for new ‘life-changing’ wheelchair.
Lucy Gatward – who lost her career after developing life-changing conditions following COVID – is hoping the community can help her raise the final funds for a specialist wheelchair after an unexpected offer dramatically reduced the cost.
Lucy, from Botley, was just months away from qualifying as a registered paramedic in 2022, after spending three years studying while working on the frontline throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
After catching the virus herself, she developed ME/CFS, Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) and small fibre dysfunction, leaving her reliant on a powered wheelchair.
The conditions cause severe fatigue, dizziness, fainting episodes and mobility problems, forcing her to give up the career she had worked towards.
“The hardest part of my illness is watching from the sidelines while my family make memories without me,” says Lucy. “And not being able to be in the thick of it when my son needs me.”
Lucy says her current chair has helped restore some independence but is no longer safe for her needs.
“My current wheelchair has served me well and helped me regain some independence,” Lucy continues. “It’s great for inner city use, but it is no longer suitable for my needs.
“It struggles on uneven ground, regularly throw me forward on small obstacles like curbs that have a 1cm lip, and has a very slow acceleration curve so crossing roads can be dangerous. It also lacks the stability, power and reclining function I need to safely manage my dysautonomia.”
After months of fundraising for an XSTO M4 powered wheelchair, there was an unexpected breakthrough when Lifestyle & Mobility contacted Lucy after seeing her appeal and offered a substantial discount.
The offer has reduced the amount needed from around £4,000 to £2,500, but only if the remaining funds can be raised before the deadline. Having already raised £915, Lucy now has eight days to find the final £1,585.
“This wheelchair isn’t a luxury for me,” explains Lucy. “If everyone who sees this donated just £1 or £2, we’d be so much closer to making this happen. We’ve come so far already.
“Let’s see if we can do something incredible together over the next two weeks. Every pound genuinely brings me one step closer to getting my independence back.”
To donate to Lucy’s new chair, please visit: www.gofundme.com.
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