Julie Hoffman hasn't added a story.
I’m Julie, a 55 year young multiple sclerosis warrior. I’ve always thought of myself as a warrior, I just never imagined this type. In the fall of 2012 I was at a neurosurgeon preparing for a cervical spine fusion for advanced degenerative disc disease. He ordered brain and spine MRIs the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. The surgeon said we need you to see a neurologist right away about the MRIs. The Monday after Thanksgiving I returned and was told I had a lesion on my cervical spine and was diagnosed with MS. I had experienced symptoms on and off for years but was diagnosed late as is often the case.
As my diseases have progressed over the years, MS in combination with spinal damage has taken my ability to walk without assistance. I use a cane, a walker and at times a wheelchair for mobility. My gait is sometimes awkward because my left leg goes numb and drags. I struggle with balance and I want to be able to walk tall, not hunched over. I have started this campaign to purchase an Alinker walking bike. The Alinker is a device that enables mobility challenged persons to move freely without a cane walker or wheelchair. With the Alinker I can use my legs to walk without worrying about my balance and uneven gait.
Using an Alinker would change my life and improve the lives of my family. My spouse, my daughters Luci (10) and Sally (6) and my dogs want me to be able to go places and be active with them. They will no longer have to leave their mommy Julie behind on outings that require walking. Both girls are very active and they understand why it is so difficult for me to attend their sports events and other activities. As my MS has progressed I have become more isolated and I miss being able to get out and socialize. It is difficult to attend events because I have to plan ahead to figure out if places are accessible. Sometimes the difference of a few stairs or not knowing if there will be a place to sit means I have to stay home. Unfortunately it can be a bit socially awkward and painful for your body to tout a cane or walker. People often don't understand why a person who is fairly young and appears fine struggles to walk. People avoid talking to me and some can be outright rude. On an Alinker I feel people might be more curious and less reluctant to strike up a conversation. Not only would the Alinker help me become more mobile again it will encourage me to get out and show the world moving isn’t just something I used to do. It’s something I still can.
I appreciate you reading my story and all the many reasons the Alinker will change my life and the lives of my wife Alicia, my daughters Luci & Sally and our dogs Duke and Charlie. I appreciate sharing and supporting me moving my body again. Our entire family thanks you so much for your support.
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
Together we'll make this work, in kindness and from the heart
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