Disabled lady needs own transport

I would like help for my dear friend who has been diagnosed with fibromyalgia and is currently undergoing tests for MS. Prior to being diagnosed 4 years ago she worked full time and led a normal life.

Since her diagnosis her joints and muscles have become progressively weaker and I have watched her struggle more and more with managing a manual car, to the point now where I have noticed that she rarely leaves the house. This means that without me visiting her once or twice a week and offering to take her out, she would not see anyone at all. Although she is registered disabled and claims a personal independence payment for her disability, and is entitled to a car through the benefit, it would take £57 of the £112 of the payment awarded per week.

As she lives alone and has no other income she is not in the position to make use of the offer of a mobility vehicle. The problem is that this has made my friend housebound, lonely and unable to get to her doctors and hospital appointments without paying for transport ie taxis etc and as I work I am unable to take her at the times that she needs to go.

My friend would really benefit from an automatic vehicle as this would give her back her independence and would make her feel less vulnerable and lonely. Even if she was only able to go out and buy a pint of milk it would make a world of difference to her.

Even the smallest of donations will go towards changing my friends life and giving her some of her independence back. Thank you so much for taking the time to read about Catherine.