Hello! 😊
My name is Stacey Hadfield age 44 from Granite City,
Illinois.
I recently have become disabled. Although the
diagnosis is unclear at this point and many more tests are being done,
we do know for sure that I have “drop foot” in my right leg, balance
issues with my gait and I am unable to walk without some sort of
assistance such as a cane or walker.
The main nerve going from
my big toe to my knee on my right leg is at 0%.
the nerves on my
left leg are slowly dying as well.
Most likely the diagnosis is
MS as I have been having multiple symptoms for at least 3 years, if
not more. They were just all blamed on something else.
I have
had 2 brain MRI’s a month apart and the second one showed more lesions
than the first. They also did MRI’s of my cervical spine and my lower
lumbar spine looking for anything that would cause the leg drop. But
the neurosurgeon said it is NOT spine related, such as bulging disc,
that it is coming neurologically.
More recent issues that have
literally disabled me is balance and walking issues. Right foot drop.
HORRIBLE pain in my legs and feet. Most nights I am up and down all
night crying because my feet and legs hurt so bad.
It seems that
the more stressed out I get it or when I am upset about something, all
of the symptoms are worse, especially my speech and walking.
I
had a Spinal Tap done last week but still waiting to hear from
Neurologist about results. I am praying we get some answers so I can
start treatment!
I took for granted what a privilege it is to
simply get up and walk! Even just to the bathroom and back.
HOW I FEEL A ALINKER WILL HELP ME…
If you go through my photos, some of the reasons are shown
there.
There is a photo of our dogs on the big bridge that my
partner and I LOVE to go walk on with them. A Alinker will allow me to
continue doing that!
There is a picture of me bowling, something I have loved to do since
I was a child. So many great memories of my dad taking me
bowling.
I saw a video on someone’s Alinker site of them
actually bowling with their Alinker! It brought tears to my eyes
because that is something I wouldn’t have to give up if I had my own Alinker!
Walking on the beach and searching for seashells, I use to do that for HOURS, the Alinker will allow me to still do that.
Dancing and hanging out with friends at a 80’s dance night, I was literally on the dance floor the entire night because I LOVE to dance! A Alinker will allow me to still do that instead of sitting on a chair and watching my friends.
One of my absolute favorite things to do is shop.
I am a crazy
thrift store shopper. I would walk around for hours at thrift stores
or antique stores and some times not even buy anything. I just love to
look and shop!
I can’t do that anymore. In fact just the other
day I had to go to Walmart for just a few items and I figured I would
just use one of their motorized carts, well guess what, they were all
being used and it took me a hour to just get the few things I needed
and I was completely exhausted by the time I got home.
I’m not
going to be able to walk my dogs anymore and that breaks my heart.
I absolutely love to cook and bake. It’s a passion of mine
seeing people enjoy and love my cooking! Cooking brings everyone
together, and I love to host for friends and family. But the fatigue
and my leg muscle strength is so horrible I haven’t even been able to
cook, a Alinker will allow me to keep doing that because I won’t fall!
I feel I would benefit from this Alinker for SO many reasons but
the MAIN reason is because it’s NOT motorized!
You still use
your legs even with my new AFO brace, it just keeps you balanced and
keeps you safe from falling. Which I fall ALL the time because I lose
my balance and just completely fall over. Another huge factor is I
want to keep my leg muscles as strong as possible so I can hopefully
one day even walk without a cane when feeling strong. And I can even
use it with just one leg if my drop foot is really bad!
I first
saw it on the Selma Blair documentary ( which is 1000% AMAZING, she is
my new hero ) and so I googled what it was. Watching all the videos
and reading all the stories made me cry, and I thought “ I need this
bike!”
Then I looked at the price, and thought there is no way!
Due to all these new issues and having Crohn’s disease I had to
resign from my job at Children’s Hospital and lost my income and don’t
even know how I am going to pay my bills, let alone be able to afford
this bike. So I researched and reached out, to ask a few questions
about insurance and if it was covered which it is not, or how I could
possibly afford this bike which will completely change my life as it
is now. Which led me to my amazing campaign leader who helped me every
step of the way to this campaign! She was so compassionate and patient
with me as I changed my mind over and over in fear that my campaign
would fail because why would complete strangers want to help
me?
When life hits you with something this life changing, and
your whole life feels like it has come to a hault, depression hits
hard, self pity, and having to learn to accept and embrace your new
life. I am trying very hard to do that now. I am trying to be positive
and some days are harder than others.
Many people have campaigned and reached their goal and dream and got
their Alinker, and I am going to as well!
So if you have read my story this long ( I tend to go on and on
) please consider donating to help keep me actually walking and
moving. I will NOT give up and end up in a wheelchair.
And if you cannot make a donation, please share my link and send
me good vibes, prayers and love. ❤️
Thank you so much everyone
for giving me this opportunity to at least try.
❤️ To all,
Stacey Hadfield
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
