Hi my name is Anna. Three years ago this December, I had my first anaphylactic reaction to a Botox injection. Then six months later, I had another reaction to lipgloss, then 16 more life threatening anaphylactic reactions to numerous cosmetic and chemical products. My allergist at OHSU calls this “idiopathic anaphylaxis”. It has stolen my entire life.

I was a hairstylist for 11 years and had to leave my dream job because of hospitalizations from exposure to chemicals. I then attempted two more jobs with the same result. One week ago today, I almost died from anaphylactic shock on the floor of my last workplace.

I have 18 ambulance bills, 18 hospital bills with one overnight stay. I have seen specialists at the Mayo Clinic, and OHSU. I am seeking work from home to no avail. I am riddled with the physical and mental scares of this illness. Anything helps-we are drowning.