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In late October of 2011 I was working in Early Intervention and, because my sons were older, I was also working on my Masters degree with loving support from my husband. Our lives were busy but were filled with love. There was a long weekend coming up so I decided to plan a visit to Reno to visit my oldest son, who was attending college there.
I was really excited as this is my favorite time of year knowing that Thankgsgiving, birthdays and Christmas will soon be here! Little did I know that instead of enjoying a fall visit to Reno, I would be fighting for my life.
I hadn’t been feeling well during the week and knew it was a bladder infection, so I decided to go to Urgent Care after work. (Sepsis and Urinary Tract Infections) I was sure I would be better in a few days after taking antibiotics. I felt really, really sick by the time I made it to Urgent Care. I remember telling the doc I’ve never felt this bad ever from a bladder infection. He was not concerned, gave me my prescriptions, and sent me on my way. By this time I was so weak, I could hardly drive home.
The next morning I told my husband to take me to the ER. I just knew that something was very, very wrong. Unfortunately for me the ER doc thought that the antibiotic hadn’t had enough time to work and told me to go home and finish the prescription. I was so scared and so sick. I was getting weaker by the hour and soon couldn’t drink or even make it from my bed to the bathroom. I remember becoming confused and feeling unimaginable pain. This time we went to a different ER and was told that I was very, very sick. I was barely able to speak and breathing was becoming harder and harder. I remember the nurse placing 2 IVs, one in each arm and saying we are on sepsis protocol.
The remainder of my hospital stay, I really don’t remember much. I just thought, so this is what dying feels like. My official diagnosis was urosepsis and, thankfully, the third doctor recognized my symptoms and took my infection seriously. I am thankful everyday to be alive but often wonder if those other doctors would have recognized my symptoms sooner and treated my infection more aggressively, I would not have developed sepsis. Even after being discharged I had to learn to walk again and sleep is still an issue for me. I also suffer from PTSD.
As far as long term effects from sepsis, my body has never been the same. In 2012 I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and in 2015 with rheumatoid arthritis. (Sepsis and Autoimmune Diseases) I feel that my body’s overwhelming inflammatory response to my bladder infection triggered the MS & RA. Finally, with the combinations of medications and many years of hosptializations, I am having more and more good days. I will continue to spread the word about sepsis as I still find that not enough people know what sepsis is and how quickly it can take a life.
I know having lived with Multiple Sclerosis for ten years now that the Alinker bike would be a game changer for me! I would be able to walk beside my sons at the park rather than having to be pushed in a wheelchair and my back is to them while we talk. Just reading the stories others have shared about this amazing Alinker brings me joy! I would love to experience the joy and mobility I know the Alinker would contribute to my life!
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
Together we'll make this work, in kindness and from the heart
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