Keep Christy Moving

Christy Bloemendaal, started to feel unwell many years ago. She was in a car accident while living in Arizona, and she wasn't the same after that. She never stopped being in pain from that point forward, and she continued to complain of debilitating fatigue. Things continued to get worse with her physical and mental health from then on.

It wasn't until several years later, after spending time at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, and finally being treated at RUSH University Medical Center, after moving to Chicago, that she was properly diagnosed with many co-occurring illnesses that make life very difficult and work impossible for her. She has fibromyalgia, post-traumatic stress disorder, asthma, cystitis, arthritis, deterioration in her lower spine, migraines, depression, severe allergies, and even more things that she suffers from. She also deals with the many side effects of the medicines she takes to manage these illnesses. 

Christy has ongoing need, so regular monthly gifts are very welcome, but one-time gifts are also appreciated. When there is not enough to pay the expenses, she feels that stress and stress increases her suffering both mentally and physically. 

Christy has dealt with the threat of homelessness, with food insecurity, with an inability to participate in social and cultural events because of her financial need, and with a loss of basic human needs because of financial challenges. The "safety net" that our society is supposed to be providing for her has huge holes in it, and she keeps falling through, or clinging to the edges to survive. 

Christy also needs much care that is not covered under insurance. Many of the therapies that are best for her illnesses are not covered, like supplements, acupuncture, massage, hydrotherapy, and more. The funds raised here also pay for these things to help Christy achieve greater wellness. 

If you have ever met Christy, you know that she would give the shirt off of her back to help another person in need. She is always gracious and kind. She is always looking out for other people before herself. You can tell her anything--she never judges you harshly and she always loves you no matter what.  She does all that even when she is struggling every day.

When Christy's illness is at the worst, she can't get out of bed or off of the sofa. All she can do is try to survive the pain. She puts on a smile for others all the time, but she hurts every single moment. Her rheumatologist calls her fibromyalgia "recalcitrant" because it doesn't respond to medication the way that they would hope. It doesn't get better, and Christy needs to find ways to cope with the pain. On good days, she might spend time out and about, but that is usually followed by harder days, since she will exhaust her body on the day out. 

Christy has been through SO much over the past several years. She has had numerous operations--to reconstruct her hip, reconstruct her septum and sinuses, stop her bladder from suffering spasms, and a number of exploratory procedures. She has gone through months of rehabilitation, wears a splint almost every day, and is constantly dealing with limited mobility in her dominant hand. She spends many hours at the hospital every week for therapies and appointments. It is an overwhelming lifestyle, but she does it all with grace and patience you cannot imagine.

Christy is a warrior--a Wonder Woman, for herself and for so many other people as well. But she cannot make it through this on her own. She has so much need and there is so little assistance available from the church and the state. She needs us to step up and to fight with her! So, please donate today or set up a recurring monthly donation to help Keep Christy Moving! She is so grateful for all of your help!