Funding a TravelScoot

Domi and "zhoom," on her first day at Pacific University

Recently I became acquainted with a vibrant, resourceful and intelligent woman who bought a TravelScoot in part so she could return to school to work on her MFA.  I have a special empathy for students with mobility problems, because that was my biggest hurdle in college.  It always seemed ironic to me that my greatest struggle wasn't with the coursework, but with getting from my car to class.

A search of GoFundMe.com for "TravelScoot" is how I found Domi, and now we're Facebook friends so I get to keep up with her antics and accomplishments.  She acquired her TravelScoot by reaching out to friends and family and asking them for help (http://www.gofundme.com/2hlofs).  Her campaign was fully funded and she ordered her scoot about 14 months ago.  I imagine that in her lifetime she will pay it forward many times over.

I wanted to make you all aware her campaign and others for two reasons:

• You might be in a situation where you have a burning desire to live a fuller, more active life, but mobility problems and finances are blocking your path.  
• You know how much having a TravelScoot has changed your life, and you might like an opportunity to pay it forward and help someone who isn't as fortunate as you to have that same freedom.  

These are the campaigns I see posted right now, with links if you'd like to learn more.

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Scooting for StitchGnomercy

Candice says, "Getting this scooter will help me personally but will also help me keep up with my scholarly and activist work on joyful physical activity for bodies of all sizes and abilities. It's not been easy and I've caught a lot of flack in the bowels of the internet by people assuming that scooter use means less physical activity because of the size and shape of my body.

I hope that my position as an academic (and hopeful PhD by 2016!) will help change the popular perceptions regarding exercise, body size, chronic pain, and disability. By helping me be able to be active despite a broken body, you all are helping in that fight!"

Read more at http://www.gofundme.com/7omkjg

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Spina Bifida-Mobility Needed for School

Marie says, "I have a birth defect (spina bifida) that didn't show up until I was 37, when balance and exhaustion from nerve damage began crumbling my world. I shifted my reality from successful pastry chef and baking teacher to full time student, and now, 6 years later, I am a sculptor and writer applying for grad school in London to become an art teacher. I walk with a cane and use to have an electric scooter to get around town but it died. Since then my choices are more limited and I really need to replace it to live my life fully."

Read more at http://www.gofundme.com/2qwbhs

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Scooter for Cynthia/Unique Styles Art

Cynthia is an artist who loves to travel around showing her art.  She lost one arm in a fire as a child and wants to be able to easily use a taxi or ride in a friend's car.  She dreams of displaying her art throughout Detroit, and one day owning her own art business and helping other disabled artists.

Read more at http://www.gofundme.com/5inias