My full name is Nicole Marie Lafaurie Tauler.
I was born on February 1978 in Barranquilla, Colombia and grew up there. I traveled a lot to Miami, since my mother is Cuban and most of her family lived in that city; I now live in Miami permanently.
Everything started to suddenly change when I was 16. On a Friday night I went, with one of my cousins, to the place of the moment, where all the young people met, to eat or just talk. I remember feeling bad; so I stayed inside the car, with door open, to lie down and sleep for a while. I woke up when we were about to leave, I felt better. "It probably was exhaustion." The next night, all of a sudden, a fever started, I did not have a cold and had no other symptoms. I was alone, my dad had gone to a party and my mom was out of the country. Twenty-four hours passed; the fever, just as it came, went away. That was it, so I thought.
After a few days my body started to get out of control. I seemed drugged, drunk; some might even say, typical pill popper. Some family members took me to the emergency room. In the clinic, the doctors, claimed it was probably emotional stress. I thought everything would be fine and that it was a passing affliction. I was hospitalized, given medication and a few days later, the drunkenness and lack of coordination left. After this passed I didn’t think much about it. Some sideffects remained; but could live with them. So I lived and never thought anything was really wrong.
Around New Years 2000, I went with my family to Disney World, at the park, I fell once or twice, I really don't remember. I did not give importance; but my parents did. They immediately made an appointment with a neurologist.
I agreed to go and again entered a hospital; another cycle of studies.
I was 21 when the doctor informed us: Multiple Sclerosis (an immunological condition, centered in the brain). I think I did not really assimilate or comprehend the condition; so, I kept living life as if nothing. I had a great active social life and did everything. I could get up and go at a moment’s notice.
I worked and remained there until it closed in 2011. Throughout the years my condition slowly deteriorated, I ended up using a walker; but stll managed and went where I pleased.
When work closed (laid off) I stopped driving and resorted to staying at home, in scooter. Little did I know how detrimental this would be. I simply was hurting myself, not on purpose, though. I forgot how to walk and could no longer do what I wanted or when I wanted. For starters, I had to make sure I could transport scooter or wheelchair; and I felt ashame, I did not want people to see me.
Most of my friends (that lived here) didn’t show
up,as frequently, others, plainly just didn’t show up, at all;
friendship no more. Also, since I no longer worked, I had no active
social life, it was non-existent..
To be in scooter all the time is hard, especially because I can move and can stand. Not being mobile is detrimental to my health, in every aspect, I have gained weight and my flexibility has diminished, even my use of hands have suffered (I’m like a new born with hands closed). All in all, my body shows significant worsening.. I do therapy because I want to leave scooter and start going out. I have practiced with regular rollator/walker; but doesn’t help as much because I lack confidence: I barely lift my legs, and my balance is not good; thus,, walk really slow. I guess I’m just afraid to fall.
With the Alinker I won’t have that problem; I will feel confident with every step I take.
I want to accept invitations to go out anywhere and not have to worry about fitting in or if scooter in the way (not able to transport ), I want to reclaim my life. Have a social life, be included in conversation and feel people know I’m there and take me into consideration. It is never too late to start living again.
The alinker is a different type of walker, does not look like one.
It is more so an aid, especially for poor balance. With alinker at my
disposal I will be able to walk , stand up straight and hold face up.
I need your help to raise the funds to get the alinker. I want to
walk again, use my legs and not feel ashamed to go out or burden to
others. I want to feel the breeze in my face and hair move while
walking on alinker.
Never too old to dream, with your help it
will come to pass. Dreams can become real, if one perseveres.
God is good and everything is possible for Him..
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
