My name is Alice Cunningham and I have secondary progressive Multiple Sclerosis. I was diagnosed in December of 2005 at the age of 56 . Prior to my diagnosis I was an International Flight Attendant as well as an accomplished marathon runner and athlete. I always pushed my body as my vessel for adventure. I felt free when I was traveling, exploring and taking in every new city by foot. I ran as a way to learn my way around my new surroundings. I ran marathons all over the world. It was my freedom, my safe place, where I felt the most myself, at one with my body.
After I was diagnosed with MS I feared my freedom would be taken away. Unfortunately I saw my fears were justified. Although I have found many new outlets to keep some of my physical freedom, such as; swimming and riding my adult tricycle (the closest I have found to the feeling of freedom I had when running), I soon realized how invisible people with disabilities are in our society. I was no longer included in joining family and friends for after dinner walks, something that may have seemed small to them but felt huge to me. I noticed invitations slowed down and eventually stopped to join friends on shopping trips or other outings. Although I use a walker and walking poles to get around as well as a brace on my leg, I do move slower and can no longer keep up as I once could. These are probably things that my friends and family do without even realizing it but to me it makes me feel less than and not important. I feel invisible.
Then one day while watching Innovation Nation I saw the Alinker and I saw my freedom again. A surge of hope went through me, I felt young and free as I pictured myself getting around on a bright yellow Alinker. I felt hope that I could travel again without my husband pushing me in a wheelchair. We would be able to use our lifelong travel benefits to see the world again. I could be more self sufficient again, I could be eye to eye with people again, I could be seen. Although I have found other outlets physically such as my adult tricycle and swimming, the Ankler will allow me to have my freedom to explore.
Those are all the things that Alinker can do for me, what I hope I can do for others in the MS community is to be an example of someone who never gives us. Someone who enjoys life no matter what obstacles come my way. Someone who strives for innovation, creativity, and opportunity. Someone who does not let my MS define me but rather someone who uses my MS to find new ways to enjoy life. I realize that my adventure has changed but that does not mean my adventure is over. The Alinker will help me to show how you can overcome situational limitations. The Alinker is a way to use innovation and drive to be visible. I want to stand and take this adventure to new lengths. I want to help others who are struggling at how to rewrite their adventures and see that their story still has a lot of life left in it, I know mine does.
The campaigns are about sharing. Most people have no idea what life is like when you live with MS or what happens after you have a stroke. Isolation is often a bigger problem than the symptoms of the disease itself. With the campaigns we can share and educate people, because it can happen to all of us. When we create a movement where people simply show up for each other, it might get a bit ‘safer’ and less ‘scary’ to engage with each other. Some people share their experiences on their campaign, others share their funds to support the campaigns. It is not about asking for money, it is creating an opportunity for people to learn and show up with #generosity. Being generous resonates with who we are as humans. We understand generosity deeply and when you practice it, you feel so much better
PLEASE NOTE
- The campaigns are in USD $, and since to the pandemic the price increased from September onwards $2950 USD. This includes the Alinker, shipping, process and campaign fees and our #AlinkerFamily support.
- The campaigns are all or nothing, no credit cards are charged unless the campaign reaches its goal.
- As soon as the campaign reaches its goal, we ship an Alinker (from direct stock or you'll be placed in line, delivery 6-8 weeks).
- Campaigners do not handle money. On disability or welfare, you cannot handle money without being penalized, but you can receive an Alinker !
- When the campaign raises more than the goal, the campaigner can chose another campaign which we then make the donation to, paying it forward, or the balance will be placed in our Collective Campaign to help future campaigners.
- If you want to start a campaign and are outside Canada or the USA, write an email to stephanie@thealinker.com. We can potentially get a shipping quote to where you live, and include that in the campaign goal, though we like to keep shipping at a minimum, so we will not ship anywhere beyond $250 shipping costs.
Together we build a movement of kindness and generosity, because we all need it
Why do we facilitate crowdfunding on our site?
We believe that the Alinkers should be available for everybody, regardless of income and people who start a crowdfunding campaign here, will have access to a life changing Alinker. These crowdfunding campaigns are the first step to make Alinkers available for everybody. BE and the Alinker company are now putting their energy together to build a generous community around all the campaigners! The campaigners are people who allow others to show up generously, give them love!
Here is the Alinker segment as was aired on CBS Innovation Nation October 2019 - https://youtu.be/pk96VDkJ9NU
Why an Alinker?
Generally, medical devices are a technical solution for a body with a
problem.
The Alinker is designed for who we are, a whole human
being, who wants to live an active and engaged life. We are a human,
we have a body. Whether we miss a leg of have MS, it does not change
who we are.
Yet the world we live in, treats us as a body with a problem, which creates a social divide between people based on their body, based on what we have, not on who we are. Isolation and loneliness are more devastating than the disease itself. So we need to show up for each other, acknowledge each other and be present to who we are.
These campaigns are here to bridge the gap between a high quality custom Alinker, and the people who live at the receiving end of a 'sickcare' system that drives people into poverty.
So, show up, be radically generous, it is something we humans really
understand.
When you read each story in each campaign, pause and
imagine who that person is, and why they started the campaign, reach
out to them, let them know they are surrounded and seen, heard and not
alone. When we do that, we feel better and create a safer community
where we know we can show up for each other. It connects us with our
essence, we are radically generous creatures, we just got a little
lost in systems that are not designed for our wellness.
Alinkers change lives, here are a few people
GO TO CROWDFUND, WHY, HOW, START
Who is the Alinker for?
The Alinker is for people who want to stay active, regardless of mobility challenges.
To operate and use the Alinker you must have the ability to:
- walk to some degree
- flex and extend your legs
- bear weight on one leg briefly while getting on and off the Alinker
- be consciously aware of your surroundings
- be aware of your ability and limitations
What is the Alinker?
The Alinker is an exceptionally cool, three-wheeled walking bike
for humans with mobility constraints. It’s not a medical device,
it’s a lifestyle tool, designed to enable users to lead active and
socially engaged lives — at eye level.
On the Alinker, users sit upright -- at eye level with standing
companions. Weight is supported by the seat with no stress on the
lower body, while handle bars provide additional support. Feet remain
on the ground, keeping users stable and safe.
GO TO CROWDFUND, WHY, HOW, START
