My Battle Against Rheumatoid Arthritis

I want to start by acknowledging how humbling asking for help can be. It is something I have had to do more and more  since being diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis a few years ago. For those who don't know, RA is a progressive and disabling autoimmune disease that causes inflammation, swelling, pain and deterioration in and around the joints and other body organs. Since my diagnosis I have struggled to adapt my lifestyle and acclimate to managing the chronic pain caused by this beastly condition. One of the symptoms I experience is muscle wasting, a process in which muscle mass deteriorates, making everyday tasks both painful and difficult to complete. The best remedy is exercise. Unfortunately, I struggle with workouts due to a tear down the center of my abdominal muscles, a complication that resulted from a tumor removal surgery I underwent twelve years ago. In addition to preventing me from having full use of my core muscles, it has also begun to amplify spinal posture issues, general back pain, and Scalpular Dyskinesis. 

This ask is difficult because it is so personal... BUT it is a hurdle I must overcome, as this procedure is a life altering prospect for me that insurance refuses to cover. I hope to restore my ability to strengthen my body and combat the progressive symptoms of RA by undergoing a surgery to repair the abdominal tear that restricts my ability to exercise and function normally.

I am 27 years old and experiencing a condition that robs me of my physical youth. I am determined to fight that, and dream of the opportunity this procedure offers me: to reclaim my body and life.