Race against time for man to buy new wheelchair

A man with a rare, life-limiting condition has just three months to raise the money he needs for a new wheelchair.

Corey Haseley, from Telford, has Optic Atrophy Plus Syndrome Mitochondrial Disease OPA1 and was not expected to live beyond the age of 19.

It's a condition which has left him blind and suffering from fatigue, muscle spasms, epilepsy and needing medication for pain.

Now 31, he said his current wheelchair is no longer suitable for his needs. Despite his troubles, he said: "I was brought up to believe the sky's the limit and if I want to do something, I will".

Haseley was diagnosed with the condition when he was three years old, and was told he is the only person in the world to have it.

He knows the condition will eventually kill him.

Since his diagnosis, he said he has had "thousands of tests" and defying expectations and living as long as he has is "absolutely incredible".

He said: "Every year is brilliant. Every time I have a birthday and go over that year, that's another miracle to me."

• It is a term used for conditions caused by faulty mitochondria.

• Mitochondria are responsible for energy production that allows cells to work properly.

• The disease can affect different parts of the body, particularly those that require a lot of energy like the brain, heart and liver.

• It is genetic, caused by mutations of DNA.

• There is no cure, but many of the problems associated with it can be treated.

Source: Muscular Dystrophy UK

Unfortunately, Haseley said his wheelchair is now failing him.

He said: "I've had wheels fall off, I've had my footplate fall off in the middle of a Christmas market and I face planted the floor. That was fun."

The new chair he needs would be lighter, to reduce the effort needed to push it, and is designed to better suit his postural needs.

Haseley said he had been given £1,570 towards the cost of the chair he needs by the local wheelchair services, but the wheelchair he needs would cost more than £5,000.

He explained he has just three months to purchase the chair, before the offer of the £1,570 grant expires.

Having the new super-light wheelchair would mean he gets to keep some of his independence.

Haseley added: "If I hit the target, I know for a fact I would be very emotional."

He has offered to personally meet anyone who donates, to thank them and show what the wheelchair means to him.

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