Saving My Daughter
Donation protected
Have you ever witnessed a flower wither? Some plants, if not properly hydrated, will wither right before your very eyes. For instance the Calla Lilly. If this plant isn't watered regularly, the leaves will slowly wither. The faintly leaves fall, drooping almost lifelessly until water is added. In just a few hours after hydrating, the plant just as you witnessed the leaves withering, amazingly the withering leaves begin to rise again, right in front of your very eyes. It's amazing!
I birthed a unique flower 36 years ago. I'm now watching my flower wither. My child. My second to the last born, Stephanie. Labor was long and hard. When Stephanie finally came, she sighed. Not me. Not her dad but her. As if she had put in all the work. I was sure I had given birth to a lazy kid. To my surprise this kid turned out to be a fighter. Despite the odds against her, my daughter was the first in her generation to graduate high school and college. She was appointed as the first African-American city clerk in two American cities that both have long histories of discrimination and racial tensions. So we think she's kind of a big deal around here.
A few years ago, Stephanie was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease called systematic sclerosis (diffuse scleroderma). This is a degenerative, chronic illness that affects every organ in her body. As a result of excessive collagen being produced in the body, it is commonly referred to as the disease that eventually turns you into stone. Collagen is sent to the organs causing decreased functionality. As with many autoimmune diseases, there are secondary conditions that come into play like heart, kidney, and lung disease. Reynaud's disease, sjogren's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, mixed-connctive tissue disease, etc. This thing is trying to rob her of her life, her self esteem, her career and her ability to raise her children. One of whom is slated to begin college this fall. My baby is experiencing all this dis-EASE. She's undergoing chemotherapy and taking countless pharmaceutical drugs.
When I hear her voice it is the same energetic, jovial tone. You'd think she was the healthiest woman on earth but she likes to play strong. She likes to make us think she's okay so we won't worry. In good health, Stephanie has volunteered, mentored youth and other young women. She's given so much of herself to others and I'm hoping that the universe will return all that goodness to her in her time of need.
I recently learned that my grandchildren are assisting her with daily activities such as getting dressed for work, showering and even occasionally driving her to work when she doesn't have the muscle strength to turn the ignition let alone the steering wheel. I'm glad she raised self sufficient children. They pay bills, grocery shop and run errands for their mother.
She lives in another state and the children recently sent me this picture. Who is this? Look at my child! WE DON'T EVEN RECOGNIZE HER! It breaks my heart every time I talk to her on the phone and she pretends to be strong. I want her to know she doesn't have to pretend anymore. As parents, we prepare our children to enter the world as best as possible. Some fights, you want to jump in but you remain ringside and let them "handle it" on their own. They build character. They grow. They get stronger. They learn to fight on their own. I've been standing, sitting and pacing on the ring side. Ring after ring, I've watched the scorecards weigh in and out of her favor. I'm getting in the ring now because she's getting tired, weak and fatigued and I can't just watch and pray from the sideline anymore and I'm lifting up the ropes and inviting you all into the ring with us so we can defeat this thing together.
Stephanie still reports to work. Her doctors recommend total disability but being the fighter she is, she won't stop. To be honest who can afford to stop working? Rearing three children, paying, bills, and trying to make ends meet is a task within itself. The family recently found life transformation/healing centers in Florida where she lives. The Hippocrates Life Transformation Center, Hallelujah Acres and a few others. The tuition ranges from 2k to 12k. Students can stay between 3 and 31 days. During this time, they learn build/restore their themselves spiritually, mentally, physically, and emotionally. Total SELF healing. We are asking for help with funds to cover tuition and to cover her monthly household expenses while she takes time off from work to focus on total healing. I've witnessed the withering of some of the most beautiful flowers. I won't stand by and watch this one "wither" . I need your help to save my daughter's life.
I birthed a unique flower 36 years ago. I'm now watching my flower wither. My child. My second to the last born, Stephanie. Labor was long and hard. When Stephanie finally came, she sighed. Not me. Not her dad but her. As if she had put in all the work. I was sure I had given birth to a lazy kid. To my surprise this kid turned out to be a fighter. Despite the odds against her, my daughter was the first in her generation to graduate high school and college. She was appointed as the first African-American city clerk in two American cities that both have long histories of discrimination and racial tensions. So we think she's kind of a big deal around here.
A few years ago, Stephanie was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease called systematic sclerosis (diffuse scleroderma). This is a degenerative, chronic illness that affects every organ in her body. As a result of excessive collagen being produced in the body, it is commonly referred to as the disease that eventually turns you into stone. Collagen is sent to the organs causing decreased functionality. As with many autoimmune diseases, there are secondary conditions that come into play like heart, kidney, and lung disease. Reynaud's disease, sjogren's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, mixed-connctive tissue disease, etc. This thing is trying to rob her of her life, her self esteem, her career and her ability to raise her children. One of whom is slated to begin college this fall. My baby is experiencing all this dis-EASE. She's undergoing chemotherapy and taking countless pharmaceutical drugs.
When I hear her voice it is the same energetic, jovial tone. You'd think she was the healthiest woman on earth but she likes to play strong. She likes to make us think she's okay so we won't worry. In good health, Stephanie has volunteered, mentored youth and other young women. She's given so much of herself to others and I'm hoping that the universe will return all that goodness to her in her time of need.
I recently learned that my grandchildren are assisting her with daily activities such as getting dressed for work, showering and even occasionally driving her to work when she doesn't have the muscle strength to turn the ignition let alone the steering wheel. I'm glad she raised self sufficient children. They pay bills, grocery shop and run errands for their mother.
She lives in another state and the children recently sent me this picture. Who is this? Look at my child! WE DON'T EVEN RECOGNIZE HER! It breaks my heart every time I talk to her on the phone and she pretends to be strong. I want her to know she doesn't have to pretend anymore. As parents, we prepare our children to enter the world as best as possible. Some fights, you want to jump in but you remain ringside and let them "handle it" on their own. They build character. They grow. They get stronger. They learn to fight on their own. I've been standing, sitting and pacing on the ring side. Ring after ring, I've watched the scorecards weigh in and out of her favor. I'm getting in the ring now because she's getting tired, weak and fatigued and I can't just watch and pray from the sideline anymore and I'm lifting up the ropes and inviting you all into the ring with us so we can defeat this thing together.
Stephanie still reports to work. Her doctors recommend total disability but being the fighter she is, she won't stop. To be honest who can afford to stop working? Rearing three children, paying, bills, and trying to make ends meet is a task within itself. The family recently found life transformation/healing centers in Florida where she lives. The Hippocrates Life Transformation Center, Hallelujah Acres and a few others. The tuition ranges from 2k to 12k. Students can stay between 3 and 31 days. During this time, they learn build/restore their themselves spiritually, mentally, physically, and emotionally. Total SELF healing. We are asking for help with funds to cover tuition and to cover her monthly household expenses while she takes time off from work to focus on total healing. I've witnessed the withering of some of the most beautiful flowers. I won't stand by and watch this one "wither" . I need your help to save my daughter's life.
Organizer and beneficiary
Liz Thomas
Organizer
Atlanta, GA
Stephanie Thomas
Beneficiary
