Max and Miles
Max and Miles came into the world remarkably early, born at just 26 weeks gestation after Miles water broke a mere 17 weeks into their mother’s pregnancy.
When her water broke at just 17 weeks, the boys mother was informed that she would likely go into labor within three weeks and would tragically lose both babies. By the time she reached 22 weeks, their mother was admitted to the hospital for strict bed rest, determined to give her sons the best shot at life.
Upon delivery, Max, who was always deemed the stronger and more viable of the two, faced severe challenges, including a brain bleed, pneumothorax, and the need for resuscitation. The family was engulfed in fear, believing they would lose Max on that fateful day. Surrounded by their loving parents and grandparents, both boys were baptized by a compassionate hospital chaplain. Max and Miles spent an arduous five months in the NICU, bravely fighting for their lives before finally being able to come home. Miles came home on oxygen, a monitor and a feeding tube which he was on for his first few years
Both Max and Miles face lifelong challenges, including cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and global developmental delays. Max also struggles with hydrocephalus caused by his brain bleed, as well as ADHD and autism. Max has undergone an astonishing FOURTEEN brain surgeries due to his hydrocephalus and the failure of shunts meant to manage the condition. Additionally, he has limited use of his left side, particularly in his arm and hand. Miles still needs the assistance of a walker to get around
Now, at 13 years old, the boys yearn to engage with the world like their peers, particularly expressing a desire to ride a bike. Unfortunately, due to Max’s lack of coordination, he struggles to pedal even the specially designed bikes provided to help children with unique needs. Miles wants a bike he can easily get on and off with and play with friends. Max is independent enough to walk without assistance and enjoyed riding on toys during his younger years, showing that he could thrive on an Alinker bike!
We moved into a new home a year and a half ago that has a neighborhood full of kids. The boys aren’t able to get out with the rest of the kids in the neighborhood and play, ride bikes, scooters, etc like they do which leaves them behind. Being able to get out and meet friends would be incredible for them socially! T he’d be able to keep up with everyone and have more freedom. Even be able to be able to Trick or a Treat on his own for the first time without getting tired or having to rely on mom and dad to transport them!
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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
