Ms Pearce, who has cerebral palsy, is raising funds for a $5000 Trekker walking frame after she was ruled ineligible for physiotherapy or hydrotherapy sessions a few years ago, resulting in a severe drop in her physical fitness.

On her crowd funding page, the former Ballarat woman said this had resulted in numerous falls and hospitalisations, as well as several fainting episodes.

“A few weeks ago, I was given the opportunity to try out a walking frame, which provided the support I require to actually be able to walk,” she said.

“It was the best feeling to be able to get off my butt and work my body.”

The walking frame gives Ms Pearce both adequate trunk support and a sling for when she needs to sit down, but she will still need to pay a physiotherapist to set it up correctly.

“It will allow me to regain a healthy fitness level to be able to do what I have to do on a day-to-day basis, as well as reduce the number of falls and passing-out episodes I experience when I’m required to exert myself physically,” she said.

She also said there was a substantial lack of disability funding Australia-wide.

“There is just not enough funding for disability support in general.”

Ms Pearce, who lives in Melbourne and studies social work at Deakin University, is funded for six hours of personal care per day. That covers help with showering, dressing, grocery shopping, meal preparation, washing, cleaning, housework, eating and her study requirements.

“As you can imagine, everything must be well- ordered and structured to be fitted in.”

Ms Pearce also uses a touch-screen laptop with a head-pointer attachment for her study, but has to pay for it herself.

She was initially ruled as not being eligible for a disability pension when she turned 16, despite having cerebral palsy that required her to use a motorised wheelchair and that resulted in limited use of her hands and a moderate to severe speech impediment. 

“I hope to become an advocate for people with disabilities who face the same discrimination and social inequalities as I do on a daily basis,” she said.

To contribute, go to gofundme.com/helptesswalk.

fiona.henderson@fairfaxmedia.com.au