Brittany Harrison Is Laughing Her Health Back!
Donation protected
Hey there! My name is Brittany, I’m 24 years old, and I’ve started this fundraiser for the purpose of raising money so that I can participate in two different Laughter Yoga Leader trainings.
Why am I doing this fundraiser? And why do I want to be a Laughter Yoga leader? Good questions! Let me take us back in time a bit, and I’ll explain. The story is a bit depressing at first, but I’m recovering now, so don’t worry!
Back in 2010 when I was fifteen years old, I became quite sick. I went from being a pre-professional dancer and honor student with an active social life, to being home bound and often bedridden. I was unable to read or do any schoolwork, and unable to leave the house except for carefully arranged appointments with medical specialists. Due to my condition, I was never able to finish high school or go to college.
Eventually I was diagnosed with Chronic Migraine, Lyme Disease, ME/CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome), Fibromyalgia, Multiple Chemical Sensitivities, Depression, Anxiety, Mold Illness, SIBO, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
I saw many medical professionals, tried many different treatments, and I did go to one clinic that helped me a lot. I worked with them from 2013-2016, but it wasn’t financially sustainable for me to keep working with them. In 2016 I also had to move, and there were lots of complications with the move. I ended up having a big relapse in 2017.
At first, it was a pretty dark time for me, but that relapse was actually what got me to try a brain retraining program, along with Laughter Yoga, and those are the things that have ended up helping me so much!
Over the past year I’ve been able to participate in online Laughter Yoga groups, and it has made a huge difference for me!
Laughter Yoga has many scientifically proven physical and mental health benefits. It lowers the stress hormone cortisol, boosts the immune system, lowers blood pressure, oxygenates the cells, reduces depression, releases oxytocin, which helps people to bond, and releases endorphins, which are a natural pain reliever.
Not only has Laughter Yoga had a profoundly positive effect on my symptoms, but it has also helped me to be able to connect with people and make friends!
Where am I at in my recovery now? Although I am not fully recovered yet, I have made so much progress over the past two years!
- I am able to think clearly, concentrate, and focus. I can retain information.
- My constant migraine has improved so much! Instead of being a 7/10 with frequent spikes up to 9/10, it’s now down to 5/10 and I never have high spikes!
- My body/joint/muscle pain is almost gone.
- My nausea is almost gone.
- I'm so much happier, and I feel joy again! My depression has improved a lot!
- I feel a lot calmer and at ease, my anxiety is way better!
- My insomnia has improved, I am able to fall asleep by 11:00 pm instead of being up until 3:00 am every night. I can also sleep through the night.
- My digestion works so much better! I have regained 12 of the 20 pounds I lost!
- My sensitivities to light, sound, smells, and chemicals are so much better!
- I have more energy! I can walk to the bathroom, and usually I can walk to the living room and kitchen! I still need my wheelchair to go out, but I have the energy to be out and around people.
- I am now able to go out in public! Movie theaters, theaters for live shows, restaurants, grocery stores, clothing stores, parks with lots of people, libraries.
- I can eat solid foods instead of everything being puréed.
- I can sometimes take off my supplemental oxygen for up to an hour!
- I can ride in the car for up to an hour and a half.
- I’m able to do multiple phone calls and video calls every day.
- I’m able to talk again! I’ve gone through periods of time where I was completely unable to speak.
I am so grateful for all of these fabulous improvements, and that catches you up to where I am now.
This past year I’ve been able to start learning about how to start an online business. In February, I was awarded a scholarship for an online course that’s teaching me everything I need to know to launch my business, including building my new website!
I've also been doing one laughter session every week on Facebook Live for the past three months. I've received many messages and comments from people letting me know how much my video sessions are helping them! Below is a video of my most recent laughter session!
My next step is to become a Certified Laughter Yoga Leader, so I can begin to teach online classes for people who have chronic illnesses. Especially for people who are unable to leave their homes, because that used to be me, and I know how isolating it can be.
My goal is to raise $855 to cover:
- Certified Laughter Yoga Leader Training $410
- Laughter Yoga Business Training $395.
- Go Fund Me processing fees approximately $50.
- Any additional funds raised above $855 would go towards funding scholarships for people to take my classes.
Thank you so very much for reading my post! Here are some ways that you can support me, but they are 100% optional! I understand that not everyone is in a place where they have resources or time to spare. If it feels good to you and you'd like to, here’s how you can help:
- Donate some money, it doesn’t have to be a large amount. $5 can make a difference!
- Share my post on social media. If you’d like to share my Go Fund Me but don’t know what to say about it, use my sample intro: Brittany is a young woman who is recovering from chronic illness, and she has the desire to become a Certified Laughter Yoga Leader in order to help others.
Why am I doing this fundraiser? And why do I want to be a Laughter Yoga leader? Good questions! Let me take us back in time a bit, and I’ll explain. The story is a bit depressing at first, but I’m recovering now, so don’t worry!
Back in 2010 when I was fifteen years old, I became quite sick. I went from being a pre-professional dancer and honor student with an active social life, to being home bound and often bedridden. I was unable to read or do any schoolwork, and unable to leave the house except for carefully arranged appointments with medical specialists. Due to my condition, I was never able to finish high school or go to college.
Eventually I was diagnosed with Chronic Migraine, Lyme Disease, ME/CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome), Fibromyalgia, Multiple Chemical Sensitivities, Depression, Anxiety, Mold Illness, SIBO, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
I saw many medical professionals, tried many different treatments, and I did go to one clinic that helped me a lot. I worked with them from 2013-2016, but it wasn’t financially sustainable for me to keep working with them. In 2016 I also had to move, and there were lots of complications with the move. I ended up having a big relapse in 2017.
At first, it was a pretty dark time for me, but that relapse was actually what got me to try a brain retraining program, along with Laughter Yoga, and those are the things that have ended up helping me so much!
Over the past year I’ve been able to participate in online Laughter Yoga groups, and it has made a huge difference for me!
Laughter Yoga has many scientifically proven physical and mental health benefits. It lowers the stress hormone cortisol, boosts the immune system, lowers blood pressure, oxygenates the cells, reduces depression, releases oxytocin, which helps people to bond, and releases endorphins, which are a natural pain reliever.
Not only has Laughter Yoga had a profoundly positive effect on my symptoms, but it has also helped me to be able to connect with people and make friends!
Where am I at in my recovery now? Although I am not fully recovered yet, I have made so much progress over the past two years!
- I am able to think clearly, concentrate, and focus. I can retain information.
- My constant migraine has improved so much! Instead of being a 7/10 with frequent spikes up to 9/10, it’s now down to 5/10 and I never have high spikes!
- My body/joint/muscle pain is almost gone.
- My nausea is almost gone.
- I'm so much happier, and I feel joy again! My depression has improved a lot!
- I feel a lot calmer and at ease, my anxiety is way better!
- My insomnia has improved, I am able to fall asleep by 11:00 pm instead of being up until 3:00 am every night. I can also sleep through the night.
- My digestion works so much better! I have regained 12 of the 20 pounds I lost!
- My sensitivities to light, sound, smells, and chemicals are so much better!
- I have more energy! I can walk to the bathroom, and usually I can walk to the living room and kitchen! I still need my wheelchair to go out, but I have the energy to be out and around people.
- I am now able to go out in public! Movie theaters, theaters for live shows, restaurants, grocery stores, clothing stores, parks with lots of people, libraries.
- I can eat solid foods instead of everything being puréed.
- I can sometimes take off my supplemental oxygen for up to an hour!
- I can ride in the car for up to an hour and a half.
- I’m able to do multiple phone calls and video calls every day.
- I’m able to talk again! I’ve gone through periods of time where I was completely unable to speak.
I am so grateful for all of these fabulous improvements, and that catches you up to where I am now.
This past year I’ve been able to start learning about how to start an online business. In February, I was awarded a scholarship for an online course that’s teaching me everything I need to know to launch my business, including building my new website!
I've also been doing one laughter session every week on Facebook Live for the past three months. I've received many messages and comments from people letting me know how much my video sessions are helping them! Below is a video of my most recent laughter session!
My next step is to become a Certified Laughter Yoga Leader, so I can begin to teach online classes for people who have chronic illnesses. Especially for people who are unable to leave their homes, because that used to be me, and I know how isolating it can be.
My goal is to raise $855 to cover:
- Certified Laughter Yoga Leader Training $410
- Laughter Yoga Business Training $395.
- Go Fund Me processing fees approximately $50.
- Any additional funds raised above $855 would go towards funding scholarships for people to take my classes.
Thank you so very much for reading my post! Here are some ways that you can support me, but they are 100% optional! I understand that not everyone is in a place where they have resources or time to spare. If it feels good to you and you'd like to, here’s how you can help:
- Donate some money, it doesn’t have to be a large amount. $5 can make a difference!
- Share my post on social media. If you’d like to share my Go Fund Me but don’t know what to say about it, use my sample intro: Brittany is a young woman who is recovering from chronic illness, and she has the desire to become a Certified Laughter Yoga Leader in order to help others.
Organizer
Brittany Harrison
Organizer
Folsom, CA
