Kimberly Shields

Kim was diagnosed with a complex rare disease at age 15. A time when most teens are just learning to drive a car, dating, figuring out life in high school, starting to plan for the future, and starting a first job. Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva is one of the rarest and most disabling conditions known to humanity. It is complex to treat, has no cure, and has several clinical trials currently. There is nothing that can be done other than pain management at this point because trauma of any kind, including surgery, can make it worse. It creates extra bone growth for unknown reasons, due to a genetic mutation. You can visit www.Ifopa.org for more information.

About Kim: She is a 43 year old woman who worked hard to get a masters degree in social work, and land a great job in the field, only for her condition to get in the way, forcing her to resign from a job she loved. While she was no longer able to work, she spends her time socializing, networking, volunteering with Kiwanis Club, and making some beaded lanyards and eyeglass chains to try and make some money. It’s not been an easy road for her, but she doesn’t give up. She has to rest a lot more than she used to, but she won’t let this condition get the best of her. She just needs some help getting the right kind of travel wheelchair to help her comfortably make it to her clinical trial visits every 12 weeks (traveling by plane). The comfygo MAJESTIC IQ-7000 Auto Folding Remote Controlled Electric Wheelchair is the one that best fits her needs.

Won’t you help her get what would fit the best?

HELP: contribute to the campaign so Kim can get a suitable travel wheelchair that fits her.

HOPE: for a more comfortable travel wheelchair for her so she can travel with less pain.

LIVE: is what she wants to accomplish with this campaign. She travels for clinical trial visits and needs a safe and comfortable wheelchair to travel in and be independent at her destination.

Family and friends of Kim Shields are raising money for the nonprofit Help Hope Live to fund a travel wheelchair that fits her better. Kim has chosen to fundraise with Help Hope Live in part because donations are tax deductible for contributors and will only be used to cover medical and related expenses.