Chelsey Bell hasn't added a story.

Hi! My name is Chelsey and I'm an MS Warrior! But we'll get back to that. :-)

I'm a mulatto girl that grew up in Tomball, TX, then Branson, MO, then Tomball again, and then finally Houston where I always said I was from anyway lol. I used to ride my bike, climb trees, spend all sorts of time outside...mulatto country girl. Then in my 20's that morphed into being at the pool all the time, tanning was my favorite thing (though maybe not great for my skin but I loved it!). But by that time, MS had already come into my life, very slow and stealthy-like and my mobility had gotten worse. I'd gotten on medication immediately after I found out, but the partial paralysis had already begun before diagnosis; I'd been having a numb arm and fingers and then later a leg, all on my right side, all coming for a few days, usually a few weeks at a time before vanishing as quickly as it appeared. So by the time the pool phase hit, all I could really do is sit or lay somewhere anyway, but I was not gonna let that keep me from being outside. During that time, I remember the trek to get to the pool...trying to take the quickest route because my steps (or spoons) were numbered and I had none to waste before I needed to sit. But I always made it, then would have had a seat for a few minutes before I tackled my next task of getting into the water to cool my body temperature that was through the roof by then. Between the sun, the walk, the stress and anxiety from not knowing when my next fall was coming...But I made it, and then didn't leave again until I was confident I had recovered some of my spoons to make it back to my apartment.

And then the next day I would do it all again, because I've always loved swimming and being at the pool. I used to ask my mom to just "swim" in the tub, bathing suit and all. Mulatto country pool girl. But I haven't been to pool like that in at least 3 years now, I've been dealing with too much regarding my multiple sclerosis...

I'd had MS for 13.5 years before I decided to travel to Moscow, Russia (by myself, mind you) to see the amazing Dr. Denis Fedorenko. I'd done my research and knew that if anyone could help me, it would be him. It was a truly amazing experience and I could not have asked for better care. So now my MS has been halted but I still have symptoms that I deal with, most notably the partial paralysis on my right side. Since treatment I continue to get better and more able but my right side persistently makes mobility difficult. Since treatment, I've been exercising all the time at home and the gym, stretching every day, going to physical therapy, eating as healthy as I can And doing a 6 week challenge with Iron Tribe to try to get stronger! MS never took any days off in trying to break me down, so I'm trying to not take days off in building myself back up!

It has definitely helped that I've had a 3 wheeled scooter since 2015, because 5 years ago I was working full time as a Project Coordinator in oil and gas. I was working over 50 hour weeks, had meetings all day and refused to STOP MOVING..but my legs could just no longer keep up with my busy schedule. So I got the scooter, I named him Statham because he was my Transporter and it has been pretty amazing at keeping me mobile and accomplishing whatever I set out to do.

However, since my main goal at this point isn't just to keep moving but to get more activity on my right side so that I can eventually move without assistance, standing on a scooter is just no longer optimal. On top of that, the scooter is electric and has had several issues over the past 6 months leaving me with no assistance besides my cane or walker for months at a time, neither of which is great for posture or walking upright. I actually first came across the Alinker in October of 2018 and knew it would be next in line to KEEP ME MOVING, but the price was just unattainable for me at the time.

Since then, the wonderful Selma Blair has gone through her own struggles with the MS monster, been very candid and open about her battle and made a way for all of us dealing with this disease to have access to this revolutionary mobility device. I want to say how much I admire Selma and the way she has handled her diagnosis in such a beautiful way. There are no two MS patients exactly the same, we all have our own individualized cocktail of symptoms. But for her to show what it could possibly look like to the world took a lot of courage and I'm so thankful for her bravery.

A huge driver for me in getting mobile again is my 2 beautiful nieces, Margaux and Ingrid. I love them to pieces, they're growing like weeds every day, are adventurous and always doing new things and I can't wait to be able to join them and be involved in the great things that they will do. They have been bringing me my cane (or Big Daddy :-P I went through a naming phase too) since I was comparing their walking to mine. Now every time they see me they're asking "Is your leg better??" I know they're just waiting for me to be able to really play with them and I want that more than anything too. I would LOVE to not only be able to say "YES!" to that question but also for them to not even have to ask because they can see that my walking is getting better.

On top of wanting to do more with those nuggets, I've reapplied to school too! I have maybe a year and a half before I get my BA in Psychology and the Alinker would allow me to do that. I look forward to socializing with classmates and actually making it to my classes. I remember going to college in the early years of my diagnosis, my right arm and hand had been going numb off and on for a while and then my right leg decided to join the party. I remember riding the bus that picked you up from the parking lot to take you to campus..literally sweating bullets and trying to make some sort of game plan as to how I would get my legs to walk all the way to class. It honestly was terrifying. I always made it, but the thought of relieving that pressure sounds so great!

During my journey having HSCT, I've talked to and continue interacting with others going through the same process..answering questions, lending an understanding ear and offering advice when I was asked. I'm thinking that I'll continue my focus in Psychology concentrating on Disability Management. It really does take a certain mindset to successfully navigate disability, and it's so easy to get in your own way. I'm still learning but I love helping others and I think that's the best way that I can contribute to my MS community, to continue learning the best ways to accomplish that and help others do the same. I also created a nonprofit organization called Move, Live, Prosper, Inc. that I hope to use at some point to provide assistance to others looking for ways to become healthier in a natural way. Plus, more learning will help to combat the havoc that MS has wreaked on my brain for at least a decade and a half.

I wouldn't be where I am today without the generosity of others and LOVE the fact that any funds collected over the required $2,200 will be pushed forward to the next campaign.

If you're reading my campaign or watching my video, thank you from the bottom of my heart and I hope that you'll find some way to get behind the Alinker campaign. If you don't donate to my campaign, there are plenty of others looking to resume walking life with an Alinker.

If you do anything, please SHARE, SHARE SHARE!!

If you're interested in Move, Live, Prosper and/or want to hear more about my story, please visit the website www.moveliveprosper.org

If you're interested in my treatment in 2018, view my YouTube channel HERE:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnUY4qodZMnnBy05jH3ptbu55YHmkvFJm

I also want to say that efforts like this one that Pay It Forward are ABSOLUTELY what the world needs. Honestly, I really try to be like Ellen whenever I get the chance (as we all should!), giving freely and supporting others that need it. I think that Selma has truly embodied that spirit and I'm ready to jump on the bandwagon!

We can't fix what is already done, but we have a say in what happens next!

#alinker4Chelsey #alinkernation #alinkerwalkingbike #moveliveprosper