My name is Alex, and I’m a 19-year-old college student living with multiple chronic and autoimmune conditions. In 2021, at just 15, I was diagnosed with POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome)—a condition that causes my heart rate to skyrocket when I stand, often making me dizzy, lightheaded, and even faint. Since then, I’ve also been diagnosed with hEDS (hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome), MCAS (Mast Cell Activation Syndrome), and autoimmune thyroid disease, among others. These conditions affect my joints, immune system, energy levels, and everyday functioning in ways that make mobility a real challenge.
Using a wheelchair gives me back some independence. It allows me to attend classes, navigate campus, and participate more fully in life without the constant fear of injury, collapse, or exhaustion. But good, safe mobility aids are expensive, and not always covered by insurance.
I also rely on the help of my trained service dog, who alerts me to medical episodes before they become emergencies and helps me feel safe going out in public. My wheelchair is not just for me, it’s also a tool that makes working with my service dog smoother and safer for both of us.
Your support will go directly toward getting the customized wheelchair I need to stay in school, pursue my goals, and live with greater dignity and freedom. Thank you so much for reading my story and for any help you’re able to give, it truly means the world to me! 🙂
