In 2022, my life changed in ways I never expected.
After a work-related injury, I was finally diagnosed with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS). For years, I had experienced frequent injuries, torn ligaments, and joint instability without understanding why. I had also struggled with heart-related symptoms including tachycardia, blood pressure fluctuations, and severe dizziness. In 2022, I was also diagnosed with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), which helped explain many of those symptoms.
Since 2022, I have experienced a steady decline in my health.
What began as joint instability has progressed into widespread physical limitations. I suffer from chronic gastric issues, difficulty swallowing, and extreme fatigue. I fatigue quickly, even with basic daily activities. I experience frequent dizziness and sometimes fall. Muscle loss and weakness in both my arms and legs have made mobility increasingly difficult and unsafe.
Since 2022, I have undergone two surgeries on my left shoulder and one on my right shoulder. Unfortunately, all three shoulder surgeries healed poorly and left me with partial permanent impairment.
I also underwent right hip surgery, which came with significant complications, and I still need surgery on my left hip. In addition, I am facing lumbar disc degeneration that will require surgery, cervical spine degeneration, and ongoing ligament instability in my left knee.
Everyday tasks that most people don’t think twice about now require careful planning, pacing, and recovery time.
I currently have a standard wheelchair that weighs 42 pounds. Because of the damage to my shoulders and muscle weakness, I cannot lift it in and out of my car independently. I also cannot propel it more than short distances without pain and exhaustion. Even after going through insurance, the lightest wheelchair they would approve is 38 pounds — which is still too heavy for me to safely and independently use.
The wheelchair that fits my medical needs is an ultra-lightweight custom chair called the TiLite Z. It is specifically designed for individuals with upper-body limitations and would allow me to move independently without worsening my shoulder injuries or straining my spine.
This wheelchair would give me something incredibly important: independence.
With the right chair, I would be able to:
• Leave my home safely on high-symptom days
• Go out in public for longer periods without severe exhaustion
• Use it inside my home when dizziness or weakness is severe
• Recover more safely after upcoming surgeries
• Reduce strain on my shoulders, hips, and spine
I have fought hard to remain independent despite ongoing and progressive medical challenges. This custom ultralight wheelchair would allow me to continue doing that safely and with dignity.
If you are able to donate or share my fundraiser, it would mean more than I can express. Every contribution brings me closer to the mobility and independence I need to navigate daily life.
Thank you for taking the time to read my story and for supporting me in any way you can.
— Bryenna
