Tyra Grove is a Chicago based artist and actor, recently graduated with her BFA in Acting from the Theatre School at DePaul University.
Tyra has recently been diagnosed and is suffering from severe rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease that is attacking her bones, joints, and internal organs. She started living with pain at the age of 12. In 2016, the pain increased and resulted in two bilateral ACL tears. In 2019, it became debilitating and she was eventually wheelchair bound, without treatments that have been able to relieve her pain. During the COVID19 pandemic, she went through 9 procedures based on a misdiagnosis. She continued to be wheelchair bound for her final year of school. After finally being correctly diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in early September, she started on methotrexate, and based on the level of her disease will have to increase dosage to the maximum amount. However, after the second dose she suffered from 3 seizures, and has been continuing to seize ever since. She just returned home to North Carolina to receive medical attention. Stress and physical exertion has and continues to make all the pain and symptoms worse, and contributes to seizures.
Tyra is currently supporting herself financially. These funds are needed urgently, and will help her pay rent, medical bills, medications, and time off work because she cannot work in the amount of pain she is in, even though she has tried. Now, the seizures have hindered her ability to function without supervision. She is currently admitted in a hospital in Charlotte, North Carolina and receiving medical attention. With your donation, she will finally be provided the space, time, resources, and peace to heal.
“I used to be a dancer. I danced from age 4 till 19, when the pain became so bad that I had to stop. But I never give up on anything. So, I found a way to continue in theatre and art. I am an artist through and through. I believe that art will save the world just as it has saved, healed me, and kept me hopeful in every capacity. I believe that my story will help many people with chronic pain and invisible illnesses in many career settings and in life. I hope that one day my story and my struggles will help many people after me and none of my struggles will be in vain. Even though my situation seems hopeless, I have never lost hope, nor joy. And I have a deep love for human beings and the beautiful people in my life. I aim to one day skip down a beach with them (giggles)!
“I plan on one day opening a foster home and arts school to provide love, resources, and care to some of the people who need it most. As soon as I recover, I plan to return to auditioning and choreographing and directing a movement based art piece titled 24 with my best friend and collaborator, Abigail Hendricks. Thank you.”
