Motorized wheelchair would be life-changing for woman

AL has a simple and direct request this year that would be life-changing: she needs a motorized wheelchair.

She suffers from osteoporosis, and while she currently has a manual wheelchair, it isn't enough. It's physically demanding for her to manually push her wheelchair, to the point where she can't go far without feeling pain.

“I can't go far on my own,” AL said. “It would help me so much to be more independent to have one.”

Her feet are in constant pain and feel “like mush” or “like they're broken” from the minute she wakes up to the moment she falls asleep.

She occasionally uses a walker as well, but given her physical limitations at this point it really doesn't help her be more mobile. She's seen doctors for multiple ailments over the years and said she routinely pleads her case for a motorized wheelchair when at appointments, but so far they haven't been able to provide one and she can't afford to purchase one on her own. For the time being, AL is stuck with whatever she's provided with, whether it helps or not.

And because of her ailment she can't work. Increased mobility with a motorized wheelchair would make AL'S day-today activities easier to complete. It's also about dignity and giving someone in pain the best opportunity to succeed with the tools they require.

“I can't walk,” AL said. “The pain is unbearable. It's really that simple, I'm hoping for a miracle this Christmas.”

This year, AL will be one of the thousands of Montrealers in need to receive a $125 cheque from the Montreal Gazette Christmas Fund. The fund helps make the holidays a little easier for those in tough situations.