Some may think that our friend, Betty, is a victim. She was consistently misdiagnosed. Doctors insisted that Betty’s problems were all in her head. Then Betty literally became out of breath, was hospitalized, and finally lost her mobility. It is easy to think of Betty as a victim. However, those of us who know and love Betty disagree. She is a warrior and a survivor but she needs everyone’s help. We are Andrea, Tricia, and Wendy. We are Betty’s friends and family. Please help us help Betty win her battle

Last Winter Betty was busy with her usual routine. Betty continuously devoted herself to her family, friends, faith, and church. She was also an extremely dedicated preschool teacher for twenty years. However, Betty was experiencing some unusual medical symptoms including dizzy spells, trouble breathing, extreme tiredness, and weight gain. Betty decided it was stress or possibly excitement from the busy Christmas season. She soldiered on. In the middle of February 2023, Betty was hospitalized for what was believed to be a bad respiratory infection. She was lightly sedated and put on oxygen. Her condition worsened and she was unable to breathe on her own. Betty was transferred to the ICU of another hospital. She was subjected to numerous tests and required a ventilator for breathing. Slowly but surely, she improved and was taken off of the respirator but required a tracheostomy tube to help her breathe. She was diagnosed with Hypoventilation Syndrome. This involves breathing too rapidly or taking very shallow breaths. Someone experiencing Hypoventilation Syndrome may feel they cannot get enough air. This can lead to a panic attack. The doctors who diagnosed Betty were able to get Betty to breathe on her own and the tracheostomy tube was removed. In May she entered rehab. Hopefully she will be home soon.

While everyone is thrilled of Betty’s progress, her medical needs have taken a toll. The prolonged time on the ventilator in the ICU caused severe muscular weakness. As of right now, Betty's mobility is greatly impaired. She requires a wheelchair to get around, has pain and neurological issues in her feet, and also small motor issues in hands.

Betty will need the following: a wheelchair ramp, a lift chair, various modifications to make her home and bathroom wheelchair accessible, positioning equipment, transportation for medical appointments, physical therapy to help her movement and mobility, a visiting nurse, and funds to pay off a significantly high (and ever increasing) medical debt.

It is our sincere hope that Betty will continue to improve and hopefully eventually regain more of her mobility. She is such a warrior. Betty has already fought death and won. In the words of her adoring husband Bruce in addition to Betty "being gorgeous," she is the "smartest, toughest, feistiest, person on the planet." However, in order for Betty to thrive, she needs the equipment, resources, and funds to increase her accessibility, become more independent, regain her strength, and physically and medically improve. We hope you consider donating. Betty wanted everyone to know that when she is able, she will pay everything forward. Everyone who knows Betty is certain that will happen. We don’t want one sudden health set-back to put our dear caring, selfless, loving friend in financial debt. We do want to make sure she has everything she needs to thrive. Please help our giving, amazing friend get back on her feet again.