"I am a health professional living with multiple complex physical disabilities that have taken away much of my independence. I am extremely limited in how much I can walk or stand, and even small tasks can come at a huge physical cost. There have been long periods where I have been largely confined to bed, and for a long time simply getting through the day has required constant calculation, pacing and sacrifice.

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A wheelchair was recommended early on, but accessing appropriate equipment through formal systems proved extremely difficult and slow. For a long time, I relied on poorly fitting or unsafe equipment, or avoided aspects of life altogether because I could not participate safely without the right supports. This meant missing out on everyday activities most people take for granted — leaving the house, engaging in community life, and maintaining relationships — resulting in a severely restricted and isolating life.

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Because of the Sharing Shed, I now have access to a properly fitted wheelchair. This has been genuinely life-changing. The difference in safety and physical strain has been enormous, reducing the effort required just to get through the day.

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Because of this equipment, I can start reclaiming parts of my life that had slowly disappeared. I can continue working and supporting others with disabilities without risking further damage to my body. I can access the community, attend church, see friends, and spend more time outside my home again.

I am deeply grateful to The Sharing Shed for the impact this has had. The generosity of the Costa family and Sharing Shed donors has changed not just my mobility, but my ability to participate meaningfully in life."