Help Emerson Fight Chronic Illnesses

My name is Amanda, and my beautiful daughter, Emerson, is fighting a battle no child should ever face. For nearly 12 years, she has bravely endured Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE), Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS), Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), and other debilitating conditions. These invisible illnesses have stolen so much from her, yet her spirit remains a beacon of strength and hope.

For over a decade, we were told her symptoms were "normal" and that medications would make her "100% better." We clung to that hope, but in November 2024, Emerson’s health took a devastating turn. The month was a blur of ultrasounds, scans, and painful, invasive tests. One ultrasound revealed an abnormality, leading us to seek a vascular specialist. Thankfully, her new gastroenterologist recognized the urgency of her condition, and she was admitted to the hospital in early December 2024.

But the challenges kept mounting. Emerson’s neurological symptoms have worsened significantly, leaving her with crippling brain fog and confusion. It’s heartbreaking to watch my vibrant daughter struggle to find words or say things that make no sense. She can no longer be left alone in public, and as her mother, the fear of losing her to this fog is overwhelming.

In December 2024, a PEGJ surgery was attempted to help manage her conditions, but it didn’t go as planned. The doctors believe her small intestines blocked access to her stomach, preventing the placement. They’ve proposed another surgery that could improve her quality of life, but it’s been delayed because we can’t afford the mounting hospital bills. As a mother, I feel like I’ve failed her. The weight of that guilt is unbearable.

Emerson is in excruciating pain. Just days ago, I thought I’d lost her forever, but the doctors managed to stabilize her. Through her tears, she whispered the words that shattered my heart: “Mommy, I feel like I’m slowly fading away.” No mother should ever hear her child say such a thing. Emerson is exhausted from the pain, and I’m desperate to ease her suffering. For 12 years, since she was just a little girl, we’ve poured everything we have into her treatments, but we’re now at the end of our resources.

We urgently need your help to cover hospital bills and fund the surgeries Emerson needs to survive and reclaim her life. Any contribution, no matter how small, will make a difference. You are our hope, our lifeline, and we are so grateful for your compassion and generosity. Please help us give Emerson the chance to shine again.