Helen

At just 40 years old, Helen (not her real name) was living with the progressive and often debilitating effects of Mitochondrial Disease. Very quickly, her mobility had declined significantly, resulting in frequent falls and increasing concern for her safety. More than anything, Helen worried about how these challenges were affecting her ability to care for those she loves—especially her six-year-old son, David (not his real name), and her parents, one of whom had begun showing signs of dementia.

Determined to stay independent and be the hands-on mother and daughter she wanted to be, Helen purchased a self-propelling wheelchair. But it quickly became clear that the chair was far too heavy for her to use comfortably. Lifting it into the car was a struggle, often requiring David's help—a responsibility no child his age should have to bear.

Desperate to find a solution, Helen applied to several charities for assistance, but was met with disappointment. Then she discovered The Robert Sinclair Davidson Foundation (RSDF), and everything changed.

Following a personal assessment, we identified a lightweight, highly manoeuvrable wheelchair that suited Helen’s needs. This new chair allowed her to navigate slopes and curbs with ease—something she had never been able to do before. Most importantly, she could dismantle and lift it into her car independently, without relying on others.

In recognition of her determination and the multiple roles she juggled, we also funded a Smart Drive power assist device, giving her even greater mobility and confidence to get out and about.

Helen described the impact in her own words:
“The difference between my old wheelchair and this new one is massive. Last summer holidays, the furthest we got was to the supermarket—and that was a struggle. But this year we’ve been for lots of walks, been to the park, and even walked all the way around Fountains Abbey, which has been amazing. It’s been fantastic—thank you so much! You’ve given us our lives back.”

At RSDF, we believe that dignity, freedom, and connection to loved ones should never be compromised by a diagnosis. Thanks to the support of our incredible community of donors and fundraisers, Helen's story is now one of restored independence and new possibilities—not just for her, but for her whole family.