This is a photo of what I look like from full body up:

I am a survivor / dreamer / artist and independent consultant in marketing. I’ve overcome 14 surgeries since birth; and have been holistic (without medical treatment) for the last 4 years. I believe your mind is powerful to resist any form of pain if you focus on strength. 

I have been in full body braces from neck to feet; and bound to a wheelchair for 15 years of my life. I’ve built the upper body strength to persevere using forearm crutches as my independent form of mobility. My hands become immobilized after only a few moments walking; with permanent calluses and arthritis. 

 

This disease is permanent; and will only degress as I continue to get older because of the stature of my body. I pride to feel independent + wanted by society for being a unique person.

I met a product designer at university; Skyler who has created an invention for light weight crutches. With the use of these crutches; I can eliminate the weight barrier on my upper body that cause pain throughout my  hands, lower back and shoulders. 

I’ve developed this donations page to raise funding for our legal aid, patent approval and working prototype of crutches. I am unable to utilize health insurance or other resources towards this cause because policies have placed my needs outside the lines of what is covered by the State of Michigan. Since I am an individual with a permanent condition; the representatives have denied my claim for assistance for the nature of “preliminary conditions”

I work with caseworkers from the State of Michigan whom do not care about my well-being. They are constantly transferring my case; and passing on to a different individual whom has to relearn my issues all over again. Ive contacted the governors office on multiple cases; pursued civil rights violations and exhausted all my happiness to a broken system. 

I hope to earn funding using this donations page ; “The DiVietri Sky” – like walking on clouds, so I can begin the feeling of happiness with light weight crutches. And I want to raise awareness around the issues faced with persons with limitations and no resources. 

I traveled to the Capitol in Washington to speak on behalf of limited resources with insurance by the government. They will not provide health insurance or coverage because or my pre-existing conditions;

what my condition looks lik exactly “I have sacral agenesis, Neuromuscular scoliosis, Neurogenic bladder, managed with self-catheterization, Neurogenic bowel, Uterine prolapse, Stomal stenosis, Gait abnormality, Back pain, Cervico-occipital neuralgia, Lactose intolerance in adult, Low bone density for age, Localized swelling of right foot, Premenopausal idiopathic osteoporosis, UTI symptoms, and History of migraines.”

I use broken crutches because I cannot afford to have a new pair; which is what triggered our design idea for crutch design with my product designer.

I will continue doing my best to make things happen for me. I live on the edge and desire to inspire!

 

 

Your support is helpful; you can follow my journey at www.melissadivietri.com – if you’re interested in supporting in other ways – my email address is [melissa.divietri@gmail.com]