FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
bm audioworks, a Renfrew, Ontario-based provider of audio and video solutions for individuals, families and businesses, today announced the launch of a brand new fundraising campaign. This campaign, hosted on the GoFundMe platform, aims to raise funds for a new power assist device for owner Ben MacMurchy to use with his manual wheelchair, as his present power assist devices have stopped working properly.
Since 2019, MacMurchy has lived with myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), a chronic multi-system neurological illness characterized by profound fatigue, cognitive impairment, sleep difficulties, cardiovascular symptoms, and overall worsening symptoms with physical or cognitive overexertion, among other symptoms. For these reasons, he uses a wheelchair for much of his mobility, while having limited walking ability; MacMurchy owns a titanium frame manual wheelchair, and a full-size power wheelchair, both obtained second-hand.
“Using a manual wheelchair without power assist is not always easy for me, and I don’t qualify for any government funding or insurance coverage for a power add-on,” said MacMurchy. “Power assist devices are also very expensive, beyond what I can afford, usually in the area of six to ten thousand dollars if purchased out-of-pocket. However, a manual chair with power assist is the most portable and practical solution for my needs, while a full-size powerchair requires an appropriate accessible vehicle for transport, as well as a ramp at home, neither of which I have.”
MacMurchy is currently considering a device that attaches to the bottom of his manual wheelchair, plus a new pair of reinforced wheels. In total, the cost approaches ten thousand dollars. To make a donation, please click here to access the GoFundMe page for this campaign.
Established in 2023, bm audioworks’ services include audio and video tape transfer to digital formats, as well as mobile DJ services, and various business solutions, including those for the radio broadcasting industry. The company is headquartered in the former Renfrew Wholesale building at 220 Carswell Street, and is open Tuesday to Saturday 9am to 4pm.
For more information, or to arrange an interview, please contact Ben MacMurchy at 343.361.0447, or email studio@bmaudioworks.ca .