Hi everyone, if you don’t know me, my name is Evangeline. I’m a mother of 4 who dedicates every day of my life to my little family, all while dealing with my illness that has been life-altering. I don’t speak about my diagnosis or what comes with it all. I don’t like to put my problems onto everyone else or have anyone worried. Now is the time to ask for help though, as I have exhausted all options.

In 2021, I was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease called Dermatomyositis that attacks the muscles and skin but attacks the organs as well. It was fairly early, so my specialist believed we could get the right treatment going and get ahead of the issues this illness could and would bring. Due to insurance issues and not being able to work, I have gone untreated most of the time since my diagnosis. I have formed extreme esophagus issues, which cause me not to be able to eat normally or hardly anything at all. It’s a constant choking feeling in my throat. I have lost all my muscle mass, causing me to lose 30/40 lbs within the last few months. I now have nerve damage that causes me to go numb throughout my body; sometimes I’m not able to walk. The sun affects not only my skin but makes me extremely sick, from headaches to nausea. If out in the sun too long, I can end up hospitalized. My body endures nerve and muscle pain all the time. This immune disorder causes extreme exhaustion every day, but regardless of how I feel, I am a mother and have to keep going. I’m now experiencing lung and heart issues, which brings me to needing to see more specialists. Every day I struggle because I just want to be normal. I want to be able to take my kids to the park. I want to be able to take my kids swimming, even just for a walk, but without getting on the right treatment, I don’t see that happening soon, but I’m desperate. I’m exhausted, I’m tired.

My spouse has been the biggest backbone for me. He has to help me always, and there are times he cannot work due to having to drive me 1/2 hrs back and forth each visit. He’s had to rush me to the ER during the nights I can’t breathe or experience debilitating pain. He has missed out on a lot of good opportunities due to my health, and it has set us back immensely. There’s so much more we deal with and so much more that comes with my illness, but I could be here all day explaining. I know the world today is tough, but if you can find it in your heart to donate to help ease this medical debt we have accumulated as well as future testing and medication I need, we would be beyond appreciative.