Cristina's Hope Over Lipedema!
Donation protected
Many of my friends, family and peers within the art community have asked how they could help with my recent medical situation so I hope this site will be of use to you all. For those who may not know me personally, my name is Cristina, I am a recent graduate and a artist working in the Midwest. Very recently gI received news that I have been living with a chronic illness for over half my life. I have been diagnosed with a combination of Lipedema and Lymphedema. Both are irreversible and there is no cure. My parents had always taken me to the doctor to inquire why my weight looked different on my frame. Doctors response had been one of two, "she is the healthiest big girl I have ever seen" or "she is just fat, lazy and over eats". My family knew I was very active and did not over eat, I did not fit that mold. Since middle school this disease slowly took over, inch by inch. Clothes became a task to find for me because of the size of my legs and arms. Life continued and so did the disease, I was never lean, but I never gained weight in my stomach area or face as much as I did in my limbs. Watching your body change no matter how active you are takes a toll on your hope for "losing weight" throughout your whole body. I have worked through pain believing I was the fault of my own body's situation. I was born to be fat, I said to myself over and over again. Throughout all these years, I stayed as active as any teenager but I soon avoided certain activities because of my legs and arms. I became shy and embarassed of my body. I stayed away from sports because that would mean I would have to wear shorts and everyone would see my legs. My arms would keep me from wearing seasonal attire at the same time, impair my swing when I so wanted to play baseball. As an adult I went to college and worked a full time job, while ignoring the pain that I believed came with being fat. Now, older, a graduate from KCAI and striving to work as an artist, my health has become poor. It has slowed me down in my studio and the ability to work more than three days in a row. I can no longer work a full time job as the legs only swell up more and harden with pain. There are many things I want to do with my life, simple tasks like walking further with my dog, riding a bike, wearing shorts for the first time in 30 years. As an artist, I wish to apply for opportunities for residencies near and far and that simply cannot happen because my body cannot handle the simplest of tasks. Being told the truth about your body and how it will never go away was a stab at my outlook, but only for a moment. With the diagnosis comes truth and that truth leads to hope. The best attack against this disease is early detection, my battle is very behind but I remain hopeful and positive! The key is to now contain the disease and keep it from growing. This fund is to purchase Custom Compression garments that once I have them, would allow me to stop any growth of the limbs and in fact, in many cases, shrink the limbs swelling down considerably. These garments will allow me to be pain free as it will lift and compress the areas that are weighing down my body. Currently the only option I have is to use foam padding wraps. These can be affective but tend to shift and fall during the daily life. This option also makes it near impossible to work in as they will shift and fall that much quicker. Custom garments will not shift or fall while providing me with treatment doing every day tasks and work. In fact, exercise and moving about while wearing the garments only enhances their treatment. The garments will be for my both legs, from ankles to the hips and both entire arms, from wrists to the shoulders. Each limb has an estimated custom costs of $1,000 each with therapy sessions up to $75 each. I am very excited to move forward with a renewed drive to eating healthier and taking my activity back once I am able. I wish to have my work ethic back in my studio and to take claim in living by experiencing activities I stayed away from! I am humbled by all of your support and I thank you for giving!
For those who enjoy art, you will receive a drawing for your donation of $100 or more.
Blessings, Peace and Love to each of you!
Organizer
Cristina Muñiz
Organizer
Kansas City, MO
