Hi, my name is Amanda and I am fundraising for my friend Carla. Carla is a single mom to 4 children and has recently, after 20 years of going undiagnosed, received a diagnosis of Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, a rare connective tissue disorder that wreaks havoc on every system of the body. There is no treatment and no cure.

Carla has been out of work since late October 2023 due to related health issues piling up. Spending weeks upon weeks in the hospital over the winter and now into spring.

She has undergone multiple surgeries with a few more to come. She has suffered a failed hysterectomy due to the severe state of her abdomen and requiring a top specialist, a successful hysterectomy, ruptured uterus, endometriosis scraping, 8mm kidney stone lodged in ureter causing a severe infection and her becoming septic, 7mm & 3mm stones on other side, migraines for weeks at a time, dilated torturous abdominal vessels causing extreme pain and still requiring surgery and unfortunately that list in not exhaustive. hEDS is an exhausting, painful and unpredictable illness.

Sadly, during this time Carla’s ice cream trucks suffered an electrical issue and she lost all of her inventory and will need to rebuild from scratch.

Carla is an active member our community with her beloved Sweet Caroline’s Ice Cream truck. Always looking for ways to bless others in our community and finding ways to bring smiles to those less fortunate. She has dedicated her life to being that person who will be that person who always finds opportunities to help the helpless and love the unloving. 

It’s time for us to rally for her and help her cover the expenses that have been piling up due to this prolonged illness. This time away from work has put a severe strain on the family’s financial situation.

*Updated to add, since the fundraiser had begun her condition has progressed to the point she is unable to operate her business any longer and has had to make the heartbreaking decision to let it go.  She will now need to figure out how to navigate the way through the system to get approved for disability.  This also means needing the finances to hire a qualified lawyer to represent her as this process is nearly impossible to get through without one. And still it can take a year. 

Carla is a wonderful mother who moves mountains for her children and will always do what it takes to make sure her children’s needs are met. Please come alongside me to help shoulder this burden and get them back on their feet.

We believe in the power of prayer so if you would please add this family to your prayer chains.

Thank you for taking the time to read and pray.