Meghan Markle’s estranged half-sister has set up a GoFundMe page to raise $20,000 for an accessible home as her spinal Multiple Sclerosis progresses.
Samantha Markle, who also uses the surname Grant, has limited use of her arms, cannot use her legs and requires an electric wheelchair to get around.
The 52-year-old, from Silver Springs, Florida, is hoping the money will help her with a down payment on an accessible home with lower kitchen surfaces, an accessible bathroom and the facilities to get into and out of bed on her own.
Meghan Markle’s estranged half-sister Samatha (pictured) has set up a GoFundMe page to raise $20,000 for an accessible home as her spinal Multiple Sclerosis progresses
Samantha has been estranged from her famous half-sister Meghan (pictured) for nine years who has reportedly not been in touch despite knowing about her MS diagnosis
Samantha has been estranged from her famous half-sister Meghan for nine years who has reportedly not been in touch despite knowing about her MS diagnosis.
The mother-of-three said in her fundraising post: ‘I can’t always rely on help, so I’d like to be more self-sufficient by having an accessible environment.
‘I really do believe that most disability is defined by the environment and its limitation.
‘I am also a vocational rehabilitation counselor, so I know what it takes to help me adapt, I just don’t have the financial resources to do it.
The 52-year-old, from Silver Springs, Florida, is hoping the money will help her with a down payment on an accessible home with lower kitchen surfaces, an accessible bathroom and the facilities to get into and out of bed on her own. Samantha posted this picture of her dream home with wheelchair-accessible ramps
The mother-of-three said in her fundraising post: ‘I can’t always rely on help, so I’d like to be more self-sufficient by having an accessible environment.’ She also posted a photo of her ideal kitchen with low work surfaces
The fundraising drive, set up on Wednesday, has so far only raised $20. She also posted a photo of her ideal bathroom
‘Please help me achieve my goal, any contribution would be very appreciated and I will also pay it forward!’
The fundraising drive, set up on Wednesday, has so far only raised $20.
Samantha revealed earlier this year that the last time she saw her half-sister – the siblings share the same father, Thomas Markle – was at her graduation in 2008.
She told Australian radio hosts Hughesy and Kate that she was particularly upset that Meghan hadn’t acknowledged her medical condition despite being heavily involved with charities.
She said: ‘It’s not about the money, it’s more about general consideration and support.’
Samantha revealed earlier this year that the last time she saw her half-sister – the siblings share the same father, Thomas Markle – was at her graduation in 2008
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at a Wheelchair Tennis match during the Invictus Games 2017
She added: ‘Humanitarianism begins at home. That doesn’t mean monetary, it means reaching out.’
Continuing, she said: ‘I am in a wheelchair and she did meet Harry at the Invictus Games.
‘I felt like it was an opportunity to be a voice and bring a lot of awareness to it [disability].’
She has previously told reporters that the Queen’s grandson would be ‘appalled by what she’s done’.
Samantha also claimed her sister was a ‘shallow social climber’ who would watch programmes showing the Royal Family as a child and had a ‘soft spot for gingers’
Close: Meghan posted a picture of herself with her mother, yoga teacher Doria, at her graduation
She also claimed her sister was a ‘shallow social climber’ who would watch programmes showing the Royal Family as a child and had a ‘soft spot for gingers’.
Samantha is the daughter of lighting technician Thomas Markle Sr, 72, of Los Angeles, California, and his first wife Roslyn.
She has a full brother in Thomas Jr and a half-brother named Bobby Lucero, 35, also of Albuquerque, New Mexico, who is Roslyn’s son from a subsequent relationship.
Meghan, who has been dating Prince Harry since meeting him in Toronto in 2016, is Grant’s half-sister from their father’s marriage to yoga teacher Doria, 60.