Be A Part Of Amanda's Miracle!!
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On May 13th, 2021 thousands of people across the world joined together to pray for a miracle as Amanda underwent surgery to repair a fracture from a fall in Washington DC. While the hip repair was not a complex surgery, it was a weighty decision to move forward because Amanda’s health made her a high surgical risk. Amanda not only came out of the surgery alive, but was walking the very next day. She is truly a WALKING, breathing miracle and a reminder to all of us that prayer and faith work!
A few years ago, Amanda was diagnosed with the most rare form of an autoimmune disease called Scleroderma. Her specific subtype attacks her internal organs, and more specifically has paralyzed her esophagus, stomach and most of her GI system. Her pulse and blood pressure are consistently dangerously low from her damaged and severely weakened heart causing her to be at risk for sudden cardiac failure, in addition to experiencing daily symptoms of swelling and dizziness related to CHF. In the last three years she has broken her right femur and hip, her right knee, tailbone, pelvis and now has had this fracture on her left hip repaired. Years of malnourishment have take a toll, causing Osteoporosis and since absorbing vital nutrients and vitamins as most people do isn’t possible, solutions to one medical issue have to be ruled out because of a co-occurring problem. In 2020, a systemic infection compromised more of Amanda’s organs and she has been dealing with decreased functioning of other organs like her kidneys and liver and her teeth began falling out. Almost every day is painful and exhausting. In the Fall of 2021, doctors recommended that Amanda pursue the path of palliative care and in doing so maximize her quality of life rather than quantity of days. Scleroderma sin scleroderma (the autoimmune diagnosis) is not only a terminal diagnosis, but the systemic reactions are also life threatening. She was told she probably wouldn’t live more than 6 months— but we are all so thankful she has once again proved the doctors wrong!
Amanda has spent her adult life serving others. Her greatest passion in life has been leading kids in worship, loving people and making a “really big deal” about Jesus. Despite years of physical challenges, she has stood for hope and fought for joy. Her goal has been to outlive any doctors who have told her she couldn’t do something or overcome a physical challenge. For instance just months after shattering her hip and femur she was back to leading worship and kids in ministry— jumping and dancing with hundreds of kids on a weekly basis and creatively designing camps and songs.
We believe God isn’t finished with this girl’s story. Amanda has never given up on seeing her “big miracle” and if you spend 5 minutes with her, you’ll probably hear about her faith and what she’s living FOR rather than what she’s dying from. And that’s where her #terminalAINTterrible journey started. When it became clear last fall that she wouldn’t be returning to full-time ministry, she moved to Florida to be in warmth (scleroderma makes cold weather intolerable), near the church she loved and of course the beaches and Disney. She is actively writing her story with the dream of finishing a book with the time she has left. Along the way, she writes encouraging faith filled posts that have impacted hundreds of people. Her desire is remind people that none of us know how many days we have left, so whatever we face our hope and joy is a choice.
Amanda qualifies for disability but her payments have been on hold since last fall because of an identity verification issue and the system being overwhelmed and made more complicated by the pandemic. There is no timeline on when this money will come through. Because of her daily challenges, she is unable to work and pay for daily life, housing and medical expenses. Living without a timeline means she stays in modest short term rentals as she writes and fills her last days but the stress of how she will daily provide for herself has been overwhelming. We want to help her live comfortably and without fear of the future with what time she has left.
Many people have asked how they can help Amanda and SHE DOES NEED IT! She’s been “overwhelmed” by your prayers, but let’s do more than just pray. She needs financial help just like she needs a physical miracle— and if you can help with that, please give.
A few years ago, Amanda was diagnosed with the most rare form of an autoimmune disease called Scleroderma. Her specific subtype attacks her internal organs, and more specifically has paralyzed her esophagus, stomach and most of her GI system. Her pulse and blood pressure are consistently dangerously low from her damaged and severely weakened heart causing her to be at risk for sudden cardiac failure, in addition to experiencing daily symptoms of swelling and dizziness related to CHF. In the last three years she has broken her right femur and hip, her right knee, tailbone, pelvis and now has had this fracture on her left hip repaired. Years of malnourishment have take a toll, causing Osteoporosis and since absorbing vital nutrients and vitamins as most people do isn’t possible, solutions to one medical issue have to be ruled out because of a co-occurring problem. In 2020, a systemic infection compromised more of Amanda’s organs and she has been dealing with decreased functioning of other organs like her kidneys and liver and her teeth began falling out. Almost every day is painful and exhausting. In the Fall of 2021, doctors recommended that Amanda pursue the path of palliative care and in doing so maximize her quality of life rather than quantity of days. Scleroderma sin scleroderma (the autoimmune diagnosis) is not only a terminal diagnosis, but the systemic reactions are also life threatening. She was told she probably wouldn’t live more than 6 months— but we are all so thankful she has once again proved the doctors wrong!
Amanda has spent her adult life serving others. Her greatest passion in life has been leading kids in worship, loving people and making a “really big deal” about Jesus. Despite years of physical challenges, she has stood for hope and fought for joy. Her goal has been to outlive any doctors who have told her she couldn’t do something or overcome a physical challenge. For instance just months after shattering her hip and femur she was back to leading worship and kids in ministry— jumping and dancing with hundreds of kids on a weekly basis and creatively designing camps and songs.
We believe God isn’t finished with this girl’s story. Amanda has never given up on seeing her “big miracle” and if you spend 5 minutes with her, you’ll probably hear about her faith and what she’s living FOR rather than what she’s dying from. And that’s where her #terminalAINTterrible journey started. When it became clear last fall that she wouldn’t be returning to full-time ministry, she moved to Florida to be in warmth (scleroderma makes cold weather intolerable), near the church she loved and of course the beaches and Disney. She is actively writing her story with the dream of finishing a book with the time she has left. Along the way, she writes encouraging faith filled posts that have impacted hundreds of people. Her desire is remind people that none of us know how many days we have left, so whatever we face our hope and joy is a choice.
Amanda qualifies for disability but her payments have been on hold since last fall because of an identity verification issue and the system being overwhelmed and made more complicated by the pandemic. There is no timeline on when this money will come through. Because of her daily challenges, she is unable to work and pay for daily life, housing and medical expenses. Living without a timeline means she stays in modest short term rentals as she writes and fills her last days but the stress of how she will daily provide for herself has been overwhelming. We want to help her live comfortably and without fear of the future with what time she has left.
Many people have asked how they can help Amanda and SHE DOES NEED IT! She’s been “overwhelmed” by your prayers, but let’s do more than just pray. She needs financial help just like she needs a physical miracle— and if you can help with that, please give.
Organizer and beneficiary
Mindy Little
Organizer
Mesa, AZ
Amanda Ferrin
Beneficiary
