Mobility scooter needed for Pippa

A rare terminal illness has kept myself, Pippa Eden inside mostly since 2014. The past four years have been a roller coaster of countless trips of hospital admissions between Nelson, Christchurch & Auckland. 2014 January I was diagnosed with Constrictive bronchiolitis in Auckland after many tests.

After a gradual decline in lung function; June 2014 where a supposedly one week stay in Christchurch hospital turned into a three month stay, part of that time was on life support with my family moving down from Nelson to be closer, the diagnoses was made via an open lung biopsy of; Chronic eosinophilic pneumonia. It causes a decrease in lung function which sits around 15-20% restricting walking dramatically to a few meters on a good week, hence being on high flow oxygen 24/7 & a Mickey button to feed me up with calories. Also I have two medication pumps to carry around. Most people with it reach a remission if lucks on their side. The medication used to prolong my life is giving my muscles weakness; muscle myopathy it’s a hard situation to be in trying to help your illness but at the same time reducing your muscles even the lung muscles which your trying to help.

February 2017 I made my transfer to Nelson Tasman Hospice as a permanent patient. I wasn’t even aware that this was possible & they have been wonderful making me understand my needs & being in an environment more homely the way I’m treated with regular planning & seeing the same regular faces has made my journey easier. This is where I was introduced to trying a mobility scooter – I needed a good shove as instantly I thought & visualised the elderly. After giving up my mountain bike (since sold to raise money) paddle boarding & swimming. But the moment I went out the front doors I burst into tears, free again went through my brain wow I’m free with no one pushing me. I can go where I like as long as the oxygen bottle lasts & the type of scooter lets me.

To be able to fulfil my outdoor dreams via mobility scooter I will need $7000 for a new one with warranty & new batteries with oxygen holder & to be able to go where I’d like it to go around the streets of nelson. It’s the curbs that I will need bigger tyres for & the batteries need to be new & secondhand isn’t the way to go after myself hiring several different ones they all seem to have faults.

Thank you for taking the time to read my journey & need of give a little. This is something totally out of my comfort zone asking for money from the community but without any income I cannot afford one & without your help. Having been away from my family for nearly four years I’d really love to go outside on walks with my two young children & husband using our own scooter instead of hiring one now & then @ $25 per day or trying to find one to borrow.