Help Ms. Owens Return to the Class She LOVES
Hello my name is Courtney and I am fundraising for my wonderful teacher friend Christina. We are both elementary school teachers in Mesa, Az. I met Christina this summer while teaching summer school together. I immediately was struck by her sincerity, kindness and desire to do good in the world. Prior to entering the profession of teaching she volunteered abroad with orphaned elephants and worked with at risk youth. I immediately talked to my principal about snatching this amazing teacher up so she could continue to enrich the lives of the students at our school. Just as I imagined, our principal loved her and offered her a job as a sixth grade teacher. Christina was over the moon and immediately began planning the perfect sixth grade classroom. She wanted to make it homey and inviting, a place where each child would know they belonged.
In early July when I texted to see how the planning was coming, Christina informed me that she had just gotten out of the hospital and was continuing to have severe migraines. Doctors thought she may have had a stroke as a reaction to a prescription medication she was taking. Christina was devastated, although the pressure in her head was so intense she could not even stand, all she could think about was getting into school to set up her classroom for the beginning of school. Unfortunately, Christina's condition didn't allow her to be upright long enough to set up her very first classroom. Several of the other teachers pulled together to bring to life the classroom Christina had wanted and imagined since she was not well enough to carry out this labor of love herself.
After searching for answers herself, meeting with several neurologists, and pleading with her insurance, Christina was finally able to get a spinal tap that confirmed she had psuedotumor cerebri. This causes tremendous pressure in her brain or intercranial hypertension. Unfortunately, Christina had a strong reaction to the medication that was supposed to keep the fluid down so she will eventually have to have a shunt or a stent put in. Another very worrisome complication from psuedotumor cerebri is possible blindness. This is so upsetting for this otherwise healthy young teacher who is just embarking on her dream of becoming a teacher.
Timing couldn't have been worse for Christina. Her vision of creating that perfect safe classroom where students are free to take risks, explore and express their thoughts, and develop into unique individuals has been hijacked by appointments with neurologists and continued debilitating pain from fluid and pressure surrounding her brain. She misses her students dearly and just wants to be able to have all of this behind her.
Finances have also placed tremendous stress on Christina during this difficult time. Christina wasn't able to work her temporary summer job due to her illness nor was she able to participate in the paid new teacher trainings that our district provides. As a new teacher she didn't have sick days accrued to allow her to get paid while she figures her medical condition out. She is currently on a two week unpaid medical leave. As a staff we have raised some money to help her out, but Christina is still in need of funds to help her pay rent and other household bills and even buy groceries.
If you are able to help this outstanding young teacher out with any amount, it would be greatly appreciated. Let's all pull together to support Ms. Owens through this difficult time and get her back in the classroom with her students! She misses you all so much!
With deep gratitude for your thoughts, prayers and support,