<div>Shannon Gilbert needs your help.
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<div>All of you who know her - friends, family members, co-workers - have all been affected by Shannon's extraordinary generosity of spirit. Whether she is helping a child with autism or empathetically helping a recovering addict - Shannon gives with her whole heart. Shannon's devotion to her friends and loved ones, and her passions for music, nature, and spirituality are a gift to all who know her.
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<div>Now I'm asking you to send some of that generosity back her way. The picture, known only to a few, is grim. Shannon is in daily - chronic pain. In the last year, she has been limited in the work she is able to do, and the pain is increasing to the point where she will soon not be able to work at all. The search for a cure, or even anything to mitigate her suffering has been a largely futile exercise in navigating the maddening medical bureaucracies. The result has been not only ongoing pain, but fear, anxiety, and depression about her future - where she will never again be able to do the things she loves to do (backpacking, yoga, hiking), where she is in pain all day, and where she is unable to work and support herself.
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<div><em>Shannon needs you. </em>
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</div><img alt="" media_type="3" src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/73539297_1687011980816738_r." width="100%" />
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<div><em>Shannon meditating in nature.</em>
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<div><strong>Shannon's Story</strong>
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<div>Shannon was diagnosed with Ehlers Danlos syndrome (EDS) in 2019. Up until this point, Shannon was experiencing a host of unexplained worsening symptoms from body aches to migraines that would last for days.
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<div>EDS is a genetic, chronic, lifelong condition that tends to worsen over time. EDS has many symptoms and related health conditions. Most notably, joint instability, which occurs when the bones of a joint aren’t held in place securely, and can lead to joint subluxations, dislocations, sprains, and other injuries.
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<div>In Shannon’s case, this means constant, chronic pain. It is hard to overestimate the effect that chronic pain can have on one’s functioning and quality of life – Shannon cannot do basic things like clean or do laundry, she can no longer do things she loves and enjoys like yoga or camping, and she hasn’t worked full time in over two years.
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<div>Shannon has seen countless doctors and specialists and has tried many treatments and therapies. She has diligently attended physical therapy for over a year in order to gain muscle strength. Unfortunately, little has helped to minimize the pain. 
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<div>Her dream is to be able to gain her independence back and to get back to doing the things she loves like hiking and doing yoga. 
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<div> For more information about EDS visit  <a href="https://www.ehlers-danlos.com/what-is-eds/" target="_blank" class="" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://www.ehlers-danlos.com/what-is-eds/</a>
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<div><strong>The Costs</strong>
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<div>Lately, however, there has been a glimmer of hope. Shannon's doctor has recommended a treatment called Prolotherapy that has helped a number of patients with Ehlers Danlos syndrome (EDS) recover from their chronic pain. Prolotherapy is an injection of regenerative medicine that promotes the strengthening and rebuilding of ligaments and joints. 
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<div>For more information about Prolotherapy, visit
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<div><a href="https://ehlersdanlosnews.com/prolotherapy/#:~:text=Prolotherapy%20is%20a%20type%20of,when%20other%20treatments%20have%20failed." target="_blank" class="" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://ehlersdanlosnews.com/prolotherapy/#:~:text=Prolotherapy%20is%20a%20type%20of,when%20other%20treatments%20have%20failed.</a> 
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<div>However, this treatment is not covered by Shannon's health insurance and is quite costly.
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<div><em>This is where you come in</em>.
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<div>You can make a <em>real difference</em> by contributing. There is scarcely a gift more precious than health and peace of mind in this world.
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<div>No gift is too small - seriously. If you cannot give, please consider sharing a personal note about Shannon and posting it to socials - it's hard to estimate the ripple effect your help and kind words might have.
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<div>Collectively, you'll help restore Shannon back to a full life.
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<div>Thanks and best wishes,
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<div>Michael Dubuque
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