I grew up in a community with 85 acres where multiple single parents lived with their children. We, the children, had the run of the property so my time was spent outdoors always. Cold, rain, snow, warm...anything we were outside. I chose my college because of its' proximity to the Adirondacks. I love to hike and spend time in the woods. I finished college while hiking the high peaks of the Adirondacks in NY. I went on an outward bound trip in my early 20s even though I was worried I wouldn't be able to complete the challenges of not having a pillow, sleeping on a hard boat and carrying 55-60 lbs on my back for 2 weeks. I not only completed the 25 days on the water and then in the mountains but the guides looked to me as a leader and I thrived, I saw what I was capable of if I put my mind to it. I started a new exciting career, working to protect wetlands - I was 23 years old and in the prime of my life.
A year after the outward bound trip and 6 months after starting my career, in September of 2000 I was diagnosed with relapsing remitting MS. It was a surprise as I wasn't having any symptoms but upon learning of the symptoms I realized I had experienced a number of exacerbations throughout my teens and early twenties. In fact I have an MRI that was done when I was 15 that showed my first lesion but didn't learn about the possibility of MS until 8 years later. I was strong and healthy and believed that if I set my mind to not see this as a limitation I would continue on with my life as I knew it. So I decided stay healthy, eat well and exercise and if things changed physically for me then I would reconsider. I continued to work in the field trekking through forest and wetlands, hike, snowboard and remain active for fun. My partner and I traveled the world, hiking trips to Yellowstone and the Tetons. Over time I've noticed changes. A serious car accident set me back but I worked hard to get strong. We had a beautiful little girl who I have been able to go on walks/hikes without while she was still young because she wasn't going very far. I have noticed my endurance for longer hikes is gone, but I have continued to keep moving. She knows that Mama is slower than the rest. Lately, however; in the last couple of months I struggle with intense muscle fatigue in my legs after 10-15mins.
I am happiest while outside with the wind and the trees. I want to be able to continue to move and be a part of my little girls life as well as the people around me. I have been aware of the Alinker for a little over a year now and thought I could use it for a trip to Ireland but told myself I didn't need it, my pride was getting in the way. It has taken time and lots of sharing from other incredible people to show me that a mobility aid is not limiting but rather gives me the ability to continue to do the things that I love.
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
