Hi! My name is Jessie and I am 33 years old.  I was born with a rare defect called familial spastic paraparesis, which causes your upper motor neurons to progressively degenerate, thus making it to where you literally can't walk anymore, and have other problems such as digestive disorders, bladder/bowel disorders, nerve damage to the liver and stomach, spasticity, scoliosis, etc. I have had over 12 major surgeries since 2006, just to keep me healthy and alive (with another surgery coming up in August to remove my bladder)..   I also have a L4/5 spinal cord injury due to a complication from a surgery in 2008.  Because of this, I use a manual wheelchair full-time. 

I have been trying to save up for a Rio Mobility Dragonfly handcycle attachment for my wheelchair, so I can keep my upper body strong enough to keep using a manual wheelchair for as long as I possibly can. I decided that after more research to get a handcycle attachment that goes onto my existing wheelchair.  This way, I can take it on and off of my wheelchair and take it on the bus or in a car trunk, and store it indoors (rather than outdoors, where it could get stolen).  The only problem is that handcycles are expensive and after 3 years of saving, I haven't even scratched the surface of affording one.  Most handcycles are at least $1000 to $3000 (a lot of money for someone with a very low income, even the handcycle attachment styles).  That's why I set up this fundraiser.  I am hoping with your help, I can finally afford a handcycle and be able to exercise easily and keep my upper body strong and healthy to use a manual wheelchair as long as possible, and so I can lose more weight (especially since I can't exercise my lower body at all).  You can see what the handcycle attachment I am fundraising for at www.riomobility.com.  Its the cheapest one I can find.

Please consider helping my fundraiser, so I can finally get a handcycle and be healthy again.  Tell your friends, family, co-workers, church menbers, etc to help my fundraisr as well, so the word get across even more.  After all, a Facebook friends list and e-mail only go so far in terms of communication.  This would be the best gift I could ever receive from someone and I would be ever greatful for it. Thank you and God Bless.