Edinburgh woman fundraising for wheelchair to help 'get a bit of her life back'
Tanya is appealing for help to buy a life-changing wheelchair that will help her walk her dog and “get her life back” after her devastating health battle
An Edinburgh woman whose life changed suddenly due to chronic illness is crowdfunding to buy an electric wheelchair that will help her keep her “lifeline” therapy dog.
In late 2023, Tanya Fourie was a vibrant 31-year-old working as an occupational therapist at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary when she developed pain in her back and a loss of reflexes in her legs.
Over the following years, she watched her busy life shrink before her eyes as her health continued to deteriorate and doctors diagnosed her with multiple chronic illnesses including Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME).
Ms Fourie, who lives in Craigmillar, is now housebound 80 per cent of the time and is unable to cook, clean and wash by herself.
“I used to travel all the time, I’ve jumped in waterfalls in all sorts of countries,” she said. “I lived such a good life and all of a sudden it changed.
“I’ve lost friends, my relationships ended. Disability robs you of everything, things I would never even have thought.”
Despite the decline in her health, the 34-year-old’s life improved dramatically when she rescued a dog from Cyprus through a charity last year.
“An Instagram advert popped up looking for people to adopt him,” she said. “When I saw his face I just felt like we were destined and were going to be soulmates.
“Everyone comments on our bond. We’ve walked this journey together and he’s made a massive difference to my life.”
Since adopting Brendan he has been trained as an assistance dog to help her with day-to-day tasks and keep her safe, including bringing her objects and helping her when she falls.
He is currently being trained to take her somewhere quiet if she has tremors in public, and to detect life-threatening episodes of anaphylaxis caused by Mast Cell Activation Syndrome.
But as her health deteriorates, and since she has been medically dismissed from her job, Ms Fourie is now facing the possibility of not being able to keep Brendan.
“I can’t afford dog walkers anymore and I’m declining to the point where even taking him outside for 20 minutes is getting too much,” she said.
“It’s not enough for him. He needs a lot more exercise. It’s not fair to him to be trapped in the house just because I’m trapped.”
The 34-year-old said she is “desperate” not to lose Brendan and says buying a specialist electric wheelchair that can operate outdoors is the only way she can continue to give him the life he deserves.
She said the multi-terrain wheelchair, which is not currently provided through the NHS, will transform what she is able to do day-to-day and allow her to take Brendan out without the need for a private dogwalker.
She was advised by a charity to set up a fundraiser to buy the wheelchair due to long waiting lists for such equipment. To her surprise, the page has already raised over £600.
“At first I really didn’t want to set it up and I felt really ashamed and embarrassed,” she said.
“But it’s been a positive experience. It’s given me a sense of community which I've really been missing.
“Lots of my friends who don’t live here any more have sent money and it's a reminder that there are people out there who care.”
She said as well as being able to keep Brendan, the chair will help her to go shopping, attend medical appointments and get out the house more.
“I can't remember the last time I did something I enjoyed, like going to the cinema, where I was not just trying to survive,” she said.
“It will allow me to have a bit of my life back.”
You can donate to the fundraiser here.