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30+ Years Penpals to Soulmates

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They started writing to each other 30+ years ago.  Stephanie was 13 and living in a suburb of Chicago and Petter was 15 living in Elverum Norway. He answered an ad from the back of a magazine looking for an international penpal. For 30 years they have seen each other through the trials of teenage life, college, career, failed relationships, heartbreak, the death of his mother and brother, the birth of her son, drug abuse and rehab, her illness, and her son being sick. Neither of them ever giving up on their friendship and never going long without contacting each other in some way. Back when they first started writing it would be 4 to 6 weeks between letters. Waiting by the mailbox and hoping to hear. As technology progressed so did their ways of contacting each other.  In the last several years they turned to instant messaging, Skype, text messaging and so on.  Now they talk daily on WhatsApp even with the challenges of the 7 hour time difference.  They also spend a lot of time watching hockey together (Chicago Blackhawks and L.I.K.). They could write a book about all of the things they have been through together and all of the experiences they have shared throughout their 30+ years of being pen-pals. Now they are trying and hoping to spend the NEXT 30 years together in the same place with a happy ending to their fairy tale.

Stephanie throws blood clots.  She takes two shots of enoxaparin (more commonly known as Lovenox) in her stomach everyday. The shots are very expensive. This is for the rest of her life.  Twice she has had blood clots in her lungs and almost died. Unfortunately, the normal blood thinners do not work for her.  She has to have the injections or she will throw clots in her legs and lungs. It is her goal to bring more attention and research to this yet unidentified genetic and painful condition.

Her son receives treatment at the Mayo Clinic for a genetic problem. He has asked that the details of his condition stay undisclosed. He hopes to be a geneticist one day to find the cure for both of their conditions.

The medical bills are huge but she works a lot. She has always managed to take care of both of them with the support of her family.

Thank you for reading their story and all donations are very appreciated.

Organizer

Stephanie Kraemer
Organizer
Chicago, IL

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