Donation protected
Can you imagine what it would be like to wake up in the morning, wanting to get up to cook breakfast for your kids and see them off to school, but not being able to even get out of bed? I can't, but that is Jen's reality many days, living with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, and a host of other life threatening conditions.
In Jen's words: "I have a genetic disorder called Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. It has caused me to also develop several other life altering conditions like Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome, Renal Nutcracker Syndrome, Adrenal Insufficiency, and Disautonomia to hit the high points.
I could fill pages trying to explain what all that means. Instead, what I can tell you is that my EDS is the root cause of so many changes in my life - the way that I eat or drink, the way that I sleep, and my ability to work. It seriously has changed every facet of my life - clear down to the way that I walk.
I had no clue that this disorder ran in my family or that I might be carrying it until I was in my 30s, had 4 kids, a husband, a couple of degrees, and a job that I adored. Up until the birth of my youngest son and my first obvious brush with my own mortality, my life seemed pretty charmed.
Once I fell ill, it took me several years of doctors, hospitals, tests, and many tears of frustration before someone identified what was causing my joints to dislocate with nothing more strenuous than walking or even clapping. It took even longer for my medical team to determine why my stomach had stopped working. I have had surgeries, spinal fusions, feeding tubes, been unable to get out of bed, and turned into a human pin cushion to maintain some semblance of living a normal life."
You can read more of Jen's story at https://www.heathermeadows.com/blog/2018/2/2/dry-bones
The complexities of Jen's medical conditions mean frequent trips to the doctor, and hospital stays. This has put tremendous pressure on the Shultz family finances.
It deeply distresses me that Jen and Chris are regularly faced with impossible financial decisions, such as having to choose between paying their mortgage or making a trip to the ER. Can you imagine having to ask yourself "Should I buy groceries for the family, or this medicine I need to survive?"
Let's help this sweet family by taking a little of that financial burden off!
(About the organizer: My name is Patti Brown and I have known Jen for years through our work together online for the HelloMornings ministry (hellomornings.org) Despite Jen's chronic ill health, she has found a way to minister, even from her bed, to hurting women around the globe. She likes to call herself an "Armchair Warrior" as she prays fervently for any need that comes to her attention. I am certain that if you leave a comment below with a prayer need it will give Jen great joy to pray for you!)
In Jen's words: "I have a genetic disorder called Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. It has caused me to also develop several other life altering conditions like Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome, Renal Nutcracker Syndrome, Adrenal Insufficiency, and Disautonomia to hit the high points.
I could fill pages trying to explain what all that means. Instead, what I can tell you is that my EDS is the root cause of so many changes in my life - the way that I eat or drink, the way that I sleep, and my ability to work. It seriously has changed every facet of my life - clear down to the way that I walk.
I had no clue that this disorder ran in my family or that I might be carrying it until I was in my 30s, had 4 kids, a husband, a couple of degrees, and a job that I adored. Up until the birth of my youngest son and my first obvious brush with my own mortality, my life seemed pretty charmed.
Once I fell ill, it took me several years of doctors, hospitals, tests, and many tears of frustration before someone identified what was causing my joints to dislocate with nothing more strenuous than walking or even clapping. It took even longer for my medical team to determine why my stomach had stopped working. I have had surgeries, spinal fusions, feeding tubes, been unable to get out of bed, and turned into a human pin cushion to maintain some semblance of living a normal life."
You can read more of Jen's story at https://www.heathermeadows.com/blog/2018/2/2/dry-bones
The complexities of Jen's medical conditions mean frequent trips to the doctor, and hospital stays. This has put tremendous pressure on the Shultz family finances.
It deeply distresses me that Jen and Chris are regularly faced with impossible financial decisions, such as having to choose between paying their mortgage or making a trip to the ER. Can you imagine having to ask yourself "Should I buy groceries for the family, or this medicine I need to survive?"
Let's help this sweet family by taking a little of that financial burden off!
(About the organizer: My name is Patti Brown and I have known Jen for years through our work together online for the HelloMornings ministry (hellomornings.org) Despite Jen's chronic ill health, she has found a way to minister, even from her bed, to hurting women around the globe. She likes to call herself an "Armchair Warrior" as she prays fervently for any need that comes to her attention. I am certain that if you leave a comment below with a prayer need it will give Jen great joy to pray for you!)
Organizer and beneficiary
Patti Brown
Organizer
Coweta, OK
Jennifer Shultz
Beneficiary