This is Jennifer Ramiscal, my friend of more than twenty years. Jennifer is battling a devastating illness and needs your help.

It was only a few months ago that Jennifer began noticing pain in her lower back and down her leg. She was packing for an upcoming move at the time and assumed she’d pulled a muscle and it would soon resolve. Instead of getting better, the pain got worse. Finally, she went to her doctor who diagnosed Sciatica and prescribed physical therapy. Physical therapy did not help. In fact, it seemed to make the pain worse. After a return trip to the doctor, x-rays were taken but failed to provide any answers. It took weeks to get approval for an MRI through Jennifer’s insurance. By this time, her leg was numb and the pain was intolerable. She required a cane to walk and had fallen several times. She hoped that whatever was wrong could be quickly alleviated through surgery. When the MRI results came back her hopes of a fast recovery disintegrated.

Jennifer was diagnosed with a large mass on her spine which has left her with limited mobility, chronic pain and a host of other medical problems. She has been unable to work for many weeks and has exhausted her paid leave. She is currently on catastrophic leave which in effect means she is no longer being paid. Although she is hoping for donations of leave from her co-workers, she has no other source of income.

Jennifer is one of the most caring people I have ever known. She has always put the needs of others first, often to the point of discounting her own. As a single mother, she has raised her three children to adulthood. She works full time, balances her many responsibilities and cares for the special needs of her son Ryan, who has Down Syndrome. Her plate has always been full, yet she has always had the ability to laugh easily and often especially at herself. Her genuine warmth and beautiful smile have a way of putting you instantly at ease. This tragedy should not be happening to someone as rare and special as Jennifer, but it is.

I have seen my friend battle through many adversities over the years---adversities that others might not have come back from. She suffered a heart attack at the age of thirty- four and survived a fire some years later that totally destroyed her home leaving her family homeless. Jennifer has never given up. She has always managed to pick up the pieces and go on---always managed to take care of her family.

Unfortunately, this time the circumstances are more than she can handle on her own. Though we hope and pray for a positive outcome, her prognosis is uncertain at this time. What is certain is that the bills will keep coming. Please consider making a donation to “Jennifer’s Care”. Any amount is appreciated. Every dollar can help.

Jennifer’s family----Her children, her mother, her brother, her large extended family and friends--- thank you in advance for any help you can give.