Hello Everyone my name is Tina and i'm looking forward on working to get my Alinker walking bike.
I was born on Christmas Eve to young parents who already had a 10 month old at home. Unfortunately I was born with disabilities like Klippel Feil syndorme, which wasn't diagnosed until my late 40's , missing ribs, one leg slightly shorter the other, both hips out of there sockets and severe scoliosis. Being my parents were young I was referred to Shriner's Hospital for Crippled Children in Philadelphia where I spent most of my childhood going through yeas of tests, surgeries and physical therapy. They finally decided on fusing my spine when I was 9 and it wasn't without complications. I spent the next 6 months in a body cast and tutored at home.
During the days after my cast was removed I still had to go through a lot of physical therapy and I wanted to get back to being a little girl. I was very determined not to let anything or anyone get in my way. Still true to this day. I wanted to keep up with my brothers so i wanted to learn to ride a bike like them. The balancing part came easy it was the pedaling that became difficult. My legs weren't strong enough to push the pedals up and over to keep the bike moving. I became very frustrated but wasn't going to give up. I decided just to push the bike with my legs but that had its drawbacks with the pedals being in the way.
As I got older I eventually met a wonderful guy and after 5 years of dating we got married and had two wonderful boys who are gown and live on their own. I had more surgeries to my back, leg and neck along with chronic pain most days. Since moving around was not that easy I've gained some weight on my little body of 4"11 with caused me to have high blood pressure and being pre diabetic to which both run in my family. Finding the right exercise that wouldn't hurt and to be somewhat fun wasn't easy. One day I was looking on YouTube for exercise for people with disabilities I came across this walking bike and couldn't keep my eyes off watching. I thought I can easily do that and be outside again and when the weather is bad you can use it on a treadmill. This type of exercise is also easy on my joints and I can stop and rest when ever i wanted. This also easily folds up so I can take it on vacations or any type of event. Something as simple as riding a bike again would make me so happy.
Please help me reach my goal and dream. Thank you all so much.
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
