Ashley Sims Medical Journey

Ashley was born August 24,1984. She was a perfect size and seemed to be perfect health, and her father swore she was beautiful because she looked like a catfish! However, over the years they found it harder and harder to keep her well. Despite being sick she was always very active. In 2013 they discovered Ashley has gastroparesis. She became very ill losing 53lb in under two months. During that time Ashley had a PICC line to help regain her strength. Following the gastroparesis diagnoses, she was then diagnosed with HyperPOTS. Along with both of those she still battles daily just to do basic tasks, due to pain weakness,headaches, allergic reactions, and loss of feeling in her limbs. Ashley has always had a love for helping others, and doing so without any recognition. She is a mother to a 10yr old spunky boy who is high functioning autistic. (Basically she says that means he's smarter than she is) She's an active duty military wife to the man of her dreams. She claims many other kids as her own including the entire WMHS girls powerlifting team that Obie (her husband) helps coach. She has always been a hard worker and dedicated to helping anyone and any animal she can. Yet, refuses to ask for help for herself, claiming it makes her feel selfish! She has gone from a hard working always on the go helper, to physically unable to complete simple tasks most days. She had to leave her job a year ago, and has used all savings for local medical. She now has the chance to go to see one of the top neuromuscular doctors at Vanderbilt and also was accepted as a patient at Mayo. Sadly that puts another financial strain on this family who does so much for anyone they can. Ashley stays so positive, turns fear into humor, always pushes herself to keep going, and is always there to bring a laugh or smile no matter how much pain she's in. She tries to hide her medical issues from as many as possible, because all she wants is to have others smile and happy.