Please help my family to purchase a new wheelchair van, so I can be taken out into the community, school, and my favourite activity to the swimming pool.
My current Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle was very kindly donated to my family a few years ago, it is 17 years old and now starting to cost a lot of money to run as it has multiple mechanical and electrical failures and is now starting to become unsafe to travel in.
I am 13 years old; I have an extremely rare genetic intellectual and physical disability from birth.
Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy-64 (DEE64) syndrome due to a gene fault in the RHOBTB2 gene. My parents found out my diagnosis in 2021, at that stage (in Medical Literature) I was the only person known in Australia with my syndrome and only approximately 15 globally.
My syndrome is very complex and causes Severe Intellectual disability, Microcephaly, Epilepsy, Movement disorder - ataxia, Episodic Hemiplegia, Episodic Encephalopathy, Cognitive, Sensory, Psychosocial, Mild dyspnoea and hemiparesis.
I also have a heart condition called Wolff Parkinson White Syndrome.
I need 24/7 Care from my family and support workers.
I suffer with seizures and sadly, due to major seizures over the last 7 years, I have been hospitalised for weeks enduring 3 mild stroke episodes (hemiparesis) two on the lift side and one on the right side of my brain, affecting my ability to move.
I had to regain my minimal walking abilities and my minimal cognitive abilities with weeks of rehabilitation.
I live in two different homes primarily with my mum and also spend time with my dad and older sister.
I am non-verbal, I will need to wear nappies for life, I can feed myself with my hands but need a lot of support and help. I am extremely vulnerable; I have no sense of danger or understand personal boundaries. I don't understand or follow instructions.
I have supports workers who help my parents, with all my personal care and hygiene needs (e.g. showering, dressing). I attend a special needs school because I am very social, happy, loving and like watching and being around people.
I would really appreciate your help to help my parents purchase a new safe wheelchair Accessible vehicle, so I can do the things I love doing.
I can't get myself in and out of a car (I weigh 50 kilos and can't be lifted it's not safe) and I don't understand why I need to keep my seat belt on.
My mum was very kind to write this for me, as I can't read and write or know what a pencil is used for, my mental capacity is only about 6-12 months old.
My parents have been told by specialists; my IQ level is extremely low between 20-25.
I like to watch ABC for kids, for the colours and music and playing with my sensory toys, I also still play with rattles.
Thank you in advance ❤️