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When our Charlotte home flooded eight years ago, we were devastated. Our particle
board furniture melted. So many of our books were destroyed.
My favorite recliner and sofa . . .
Looking back on it today, it seems to be
just a minor nuisance - we were very fortunate. When the water
receded, my husband was able to drag my wheelchair ramp back
from across the yard (it hadn't floated over the fence like so
many other things). He had put my electric wheelchair up on blocks,
so only the wheels were wet instead of in need of major repair.
I rolled around in the flood water in my
manual wheelchair, not realizing what I was doing to the bearings.
It later came to a screeching halt.
As I watch the news, I wonder how many
people have lost their wheelchairs. My electric wheelchair weighs
275 pounds. How many had to be left behind? How many manual wheelchairs
will soon stop rolling?
So many people who have lost everything
else have also lost their ability to get to the bathroom by themselves.
They can no longer care for themselves and must depend on others
for their most basic needs.
Our flood insurance only covered our home,
not the contents. Had I lost my electric wheelchair along with
everything else, our finances would have been terribly stretched.
I would have had to ask for help. I would have turned to the
National MS Society and hoped that they had enough wheelchairs
in the loan closet for everyone in the same situation. I would
have asked for their help in getting my wheelchair cleaned up
and rewired. I would have depended on their help to regain my
life, my independence.
Please give to the National MS Society.
Elena (a.k.a. The Map Lady)
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