Rachel Price, 25, from Hemel Hempstead is fundraising to buy herself a wheelchair to take back her independence.
Rachel was initially misdiagnosed with Fibromyalgia which led her to cut down her hours at work, but her health continued to decline.
It was in September 2019 when she received her correct diagnosis of Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS), which is essentially a group of rare genetic disorders that effect the connective tissue.
Rachel said: “Having the correct information about my health would have allowed me to complete my degree in Photography and Film, that’s the only thing I can be certain of.
“Due to the nature of my condition and the limited access to healthcare on the NHS I can’t be sure what my life would look like now without extremely expensive tests.
“I’m so set up to manage this condition and enjoy my life, I have an amazing partner, family and group of friends both locally and across the globe. They fill my life with so much love and support that there’s very little I need.
“One thing they can’t give, no matter how hard they work, is the independence I worked so hard to get myself. A wheelchair that fits my needs will allow me to become a member of the local community just as I once was.”
Rachel told HemelNews she was “overwhelmed” with the amount of support her community has shown her and when asked what getting her independence back meant to her, she struggled to find words.
She said: “I never thought I’d need a wheelchair at 25 but that’s the card I’ve been dealt, and I’ll make it work for me. I’ve been independent since a toddler and made my mum take me to nursery at two because I was so keen to learn.
“Nothing has changed and I’m still impatient and over excited. Once I’m back on my feet, or more accurately wheels, I’m hoping to restart my education and get into the healthcare industry.”
To help Rachel get to her goal of £2,500, visit justgiving.com/crowdfunding/getrachelwheels
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