Hi! My name is Chelsey and I'm an MS Warrior! But we'll get back to that. :-)
I'm a mulatto girl that grew up in Tomball, TX, then Branson, MO, then Tomball again, and then finally Houston where I always said I was from anyway lol. I used to ride my bike, climb trees, spend all sorts of time outside...mulatto country girl. Then in my 20's that morphed into being at the pool all the time, tanning was my favorite thing (though maybe not great for my skin but I loved it!). But by that time, MS had already come into my life, very slow and stealthy-like and my mobility had gotten worse. I'd gotten on medication immediately after I found out, but the partial paralysis had already begun before diagnosis; I'd been having a numb arm and fingers and then later a leg, all on my right side, all coming for a few days, usually a few weeks at a time before vanishing as quickly as it appeared. So by the time the pool phase hit, all I could really do is sit or lay somewhere anyway, but I was not gonna let that keep me from being outside. During that time, I remember the trek to get to the pool...trying to take the quickest route because my steps (or spoons) were numbered and I had none to waste before I needed to sit. But I always made it, then would have had a seat for a few minutes before I tackled my next task of getting into the water to cool my body temperature that was through the roof by then. Between the sun, the walk, the stress and anxiety from not knowing when my next fall was coming...But I made it, and then didn't leave again until I was confident I had recovered some of my spoons to make it back to my apartment.
And then the next day I would do it all again, because I've always loved swimming and being at the pool. I used to ask my mom to just "swim" in the tub, bathing suit and all. Mulatto country pool girl. But I haven't been to pool like that in at least 3 years now, I've been dealing with too much regarding my multiple sclerosis...
I'd had MS for 13.5 years before I decided to travel to Moscow, Russia (by myself, mind you) to see the amazing Dr. Denis Fedorenko. I'd done my research and knew that if anyone could help me, it would be him. It was a truly amazing experience and I could not have asked for better care. So now my MS has been halted but I still have symptoms that I deal with, most notably the partial paralysis on my right side. Since treatment I continue to get better and more able but my right side persistently makes mobility difficult. Since treatment, I've been exercising all the time at home and the gym, stretching every day, going to physical therapy, eating as healthy as I can And doing a 6 week challenge with Iron Tribe to try to get stronger! MS never took any days off in trying to break me down, so I'm trying to not take days off in building myself back up!
It has definitely helped that I've had a 3 wheeled scooter since
2015, because 5 years ago I was working full time as a Project
Coordinator in oil and gas. I was working over 50 hour weeks, had
meetings all day and refused to STOP MOVING..but my legs could just no
longer keep up with my busy schedule. So I got the scooter, I named
him Statham because he was my Transporter and it has been pretty
amazing at keeping me mobile and accomplishing whatever I set out to
do.
However, since my main goal at this point isn't just to keep
moving but to get more activity on my right side so that I can
eventually move without assistance, standing on a scooter is just no
longer optimal. On top of that, the scooter is electric and has had
several issues over the past 6 months leaving me with no assistance
besides my cane or walker for months at a time, neither of which is
great for posture or walking upright. I actually first came across the
Alinker in October of 2018 and knew it would be next in line to
KEEP ME MOVING, but the price was just unattainable
for me at the time.
Since then, the wonderful Selma Blair has gone through her own struggles with the MS monster, been very candid and open about her battle and made a way for all of us dealing with this disease to have access to this revolutionary mobility device. I want to say how much I admire Selma and the way she has handled her diagnosis in such a beautiful way. There are no two MS patients exactly the same, we all have our own individualized cocktail of symptoms. But for her to show what it could possibly look like to the world took a lot of courage and I'm so thankful for her bravery.
A huge driver for me in getting mobile again is my 2 beautiful nieces, Margaux and Ingrid. I love them to pieces, they're growing like weeds every day, are adventurous and always doing new things and I can't wait to be able to join them and be involved in the great things that they will do. They have been bringing me my cane (or Big Daddy :-P I went through a naming phase too) since I was comparing their walking to mine. Now every time they see me they're asking "Is your leg better??" I know they're just waiting for me to be able to really play with them and I want that more than anything too. I would LOVE to not only be able to say "YES!" to that question but also for them to not even have to ask because they can see that my walking is getting better.
On top of wanting to do more with those nuggets, I've reapplied to school too! I have maybe a year and a half before I get my BA in Psychology and the Alinker would allow me to do that. I look forward to socializing with classmates and actually making it to my classes. I remember going to college in the early years of my diagnosis, my right arm and hand had been going numb off and on for a while and then my right leg decided to join the party. I remember riding the bus that picked you up from the parking lot to take you to campus..literally sweating bullets and trying to make some sort of game plan as to how I would get my legs to walk all the way to class. It honestly was terrifying. I always made it, but the thought of relieving that pressure sounds so great!
I wouldn't be where I am today without the generosity of others and LOVE the fact that any funds collected over the required $2,200 will be pushed forward to the next campaign.
If you're reading my campaign or watching my video, thank you from the bottom of my heart and I hope that you'll find some way to get behind the Alinker campaign. If you don't donate to my campaign, there are plenty of others looking to resume walking life with an Alinker.
If you do anything, please SHARE, SHARE SHARE!!
- If you're interested in Move, Live, Prosper and/or want to hear more about my story, please visit the website www.moveliveprosper.org
- If you're interested in my treatment in 2018, view my YouTube channel HERE:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnUY4qodZMnnBy05jH3ptbu55YHmkvFJm
I also want to say that efforts like this one that Pay It Forward are ABSOLUTELY what the world needs. Honestly, I really try to be like Ellen whenever I get the chance (as we all should!), giving freely and supporting others that need it. I think that Selma has truly embodied that spirit and I'm ready to jump on the bandwagon!
We can't fix what is already done, but we have a say in what happens next!
#alinker4Chelsey #alinkernation #alinkerwalkingbike #moveliveprosper
THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO BE A PART OF THIS MOVEMENT!
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
