October 5, 2018

At 46 years old, on Feb. 12, 2010 about 10:00 a.m. I experienced a massive hemorrhagic stroke. An intracerebral hemorrhage occurred in the right frontal lobe of my brain. Only 15 percent of all strokes are hemorrhagic, but they are responsible for about 40 percent of all stroke deaths. (National Stroke Association www.stroke.org The stroke destroyed motor function on my left side. I became a hemiplegic that day.

As a preacher and missionary for more than 30 years, I retained all my knowledge and ability to speak. To say that I am blessed is an understatement. I have been able to travel to Southeast Asia eight times since my stroke to teach the saving gospel of Jesus Christ.

For more than eight and one half years I have used a manual wheelchair. However, as a hemiplegic, I cannot push myself and must depend on someone else to push me. In my travels, especially in large airports, it can become expensive paying all the tips for those who assist me. Those who push me on sidewalks are unable to see what is ahead to prepare for what is upcoming. It can be frightening when the front caster wheels fall into a crack in the pavement or are suddenly stopped on the threshold of a doorway and it practically throws me out of the seat. Manual wheelchairs are not made to be used off of hard surfaces for the same reason. I have been very limited in where I can go.

The Segway AddSeat has no casters and will not be hindered by cracks or thresholds, and can it be taken off the pavement. This wheelchair will provide mobility and give me independence and freedom I have not known in almost nine years. It will be such a great tool in my work enabling me to go where I need to go – even into rural areas to teach.

You might be thinking, “that chair costs as much as a car!” Well, to me it will be just as important as an automobile.

I chose to fundraise with Help, Hope, Live because of the accountability of funds they provide. You may have heard of the extravagant misuse of funds raised on other crowdfunding websites. This is not possible with Help, Hope. Live because all donations go directly to them.

Please contribute to help me get the Segway AddSeat.

– Paul

September 25, 2018

This video show the product of this fundraiser. With this wheelchair, I would have mobility, independence and freedom not within grasp for almost a decade. Thanks for taking time to watch. – Paul