Hello My name Is Amanda. I am a Respiratory Therapist at the CT Children's Medical center. Well until I got ill I was employed. I was a very healthy 40 year old until My birthday in 2021. At that time I collapsed at work with no reasons as to why. I have given all my life to make a difference in others people lives and never thought I would feel this helpless in my life. After many inaccurate diagnosis including one doctor thinking I had post covid stress from working 15 hour shifts during covid (craziness) This diagnosis was clearly false which delayed the real findings. It was determined that I have a rare CSF leak within my body. I have had many patches and myelograms with no luck in finding or stopping the leak. Everyday is a migraine and bed rest. I went from being a caregiver and active to bed bound and inactive. We were told we need to go to Duke Medical to have the best doctors in this field help. I have been on the waiting list for 2 years and finally have an appointment on March 9th to get the much needed help I need. However since being ill for over 2 years I have lost my job, lost many pounds as well as my body muscle finding ways to make income and help my family and myself has been a true challenge. I have always seen the challenge in the medical field with family's I have tried to help over the years and I never thought this would happen to me or take a toll on my body like it has. I am a mother of 4 children and a wife of an amazing husband. We got married just a few months before this happened and I feel helpless with how his life ended up. He never complains, always makes me first and works 4 jobs to make ends meet. But that's just what were doing making ends meet and no room for anything else. That is why I am reaching out for help anywhere I can find it. I ask anyone who is interested in helping to please do so. Any little bit will go a long way in helping with non covered medical, transportation and hotel stay. All I want is to get back to being a mother, wife and medical professional to help others with their needs.

Words can not express the amount of love and support everyone has provided. We love you all!!

Thank you

Amanda