Having to use 2 credit cards to fund a electric wheelchair as i was unable to get help unable to self wheel a manual Chair

"My name is Debi and I Have had to max out my Credit Card to buy an electric wheelchair as my chronic pain condition has left me unable to walk. I have Lived in New Zealand for over 10 years now.

But been to DHB, Lotteries commision , every Charity that help, i do not meet the criteria for any help, as i am to young or not with ACC.

I used to be an early childhood teacher. It was a job I loved, but as with all people who spend large amounts of time around babies, toddlers and children, I would catch virus after virus.I had to leave my job to try and recover

I eventually developed a painful condition called costochondritis, an inflammatory condition of the junctions where the upper ribs join the cartilage that holds them to the breastbone (sternum). as simple movements would cause excruciating pain in my ribs. Recovery from costo can take up to 8 months, but I never seemed to heal properly.

The pain changed from being tight and achy to being a burning, stabbing type pain, which would only get worse as time went on. I was diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), a chronic systemic disease characterised by severe pain, swelling, and changes in the skin. CRPS is the most painful and debilitating chronic conditions I don’t go a single day without being in pain and while the intensity does vary, it is very draining to know that you are unlikely to get any kind of relief.

I was sent to see a different Dr,who was not nice to me.he told me I was too young to be sick and told me he wanted me off my pain medication , which I was using as a way to get by, doing daily activities such as cooking dinner, laundry or even showering.

This doctor told me to go back to my own country so that I wouldn’t keep draining the New Zealand health system.

I was left traumatized by this experience, still in pain and feel very let down by the system that was meant to help me.

I had no idea the role emotions play in terms of pain and woke a few days later unable to walk without servere pain. My doctors told me that my autonomic nervous system (which regulates the functions of the body that cant be controlled by willpower such as blood pressure, heart rate and nerve reactions) was going haywire and that they were unsure how long it would take for it to settle back down to normal again.

I was housebound.

So i put a shout out on Facebook I was given a self-propelled wheelchair, which gave me back a lot of my daily function and meant that I could do the shopping again .

The only problem is that my ribs don’t cope when I wheel myself around ,

The Nerve pain has started to spread to my arms and has left me at times unable to move them let alone wheel a chair

And so I turn to givealittle, to try and raise funds for an electric wheelchair since ACC and my local DHB will not assist me with purchasing, as I am a NZ resident and am under 65 years old.

I have tried to get funding through many different avenues but have been met with the same sort of response from them all “No, we can’t help you, you’ll have to buy your own”. As I am unable to work due to my illness I am on the sickness benefit, and unsure how i am going to pay it off.

I don’t want anything flash or fancy, I just want something that will help me get some of my independence back without costing me my quality of life.

Thank you for your time and kindness, I appreciate it!

Debi"