Disabled Penrith woman starts campaign to find independence

Penrith woman Kayla Reichel has started a GoFundMe campaign to help her purchase her first car and give her the independence she craves.

Kayla Reichel has started a Go Fund Me Page to try and get a car that is suitable for her wheelchair. Picture: Angelo Velardo

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A Penrith woman has started a fundraising campaign to help give her a sense of normality.

Kayla Reichel was born with Spinal Muscular Atrophy and has limited use of her legs and arms and is bound to a wheelchair. While she is studying psychology at the University of Western Sydney, the 26 year old requires assistance to perform a number of everyday tasks.

She has started a GoFundMe campaign in an attempt to raise the money needed to raise the money needed to achieve one of her lifelong dreams of owning her own car. To her however her dream is about more than just four wheels, it is about gaining independence.

“I want to get a car because I am quite isolated and it can get quite depressing,” Ms Reichel said.

“This is the dream I have had since I was a kid to be as independent as possible and I want to be able to achieve my dream and be like every other 26 year old out there.”

The dream for Kayla is to get a car and be able to gain some independence.

Unlike most people looking to purchase their first car, Kayla faces the added obstacle that the vehicle needs to be modified to suit her disability. The National Disability Scheme will fund the modifications, but not the vehicle itself.

To add to the challenge the car cannot be more than three years old, meaning the price tag for Kayla can be as high as $45,000.

“That puts it in quite a high price range and unfortunately I am only on a disability pension and due to my disability I am only able to study or work.

“Even if I was to get I job I would never be able to have a full time job due to my disability, so for me it is not as easy as just going and getting a car loan or save up for a car of that price range.”

Currently the 26 year old requires assistance for almost all tasks.

The campaign hopes to raise $25,000 and already almost $2000 has been donated. This has blown Kayla’s mind as she said she didn’t think people would warm to her cause.

“I am just so incredibly thankful because I honestly did not think I would even get $50.

“I was reluctant in making the campaign because I know there are a lot of people out there who are suffering and I didn’t think my cause was worth people giving to.”

To donate to the campaign visit www.gofundme.com/kia-soul-for-kayla