Help Sage Heal and Dream Again

My name is Karlene Mullins. I am raising funds for my granddaughter, Sage, my 7-year-old superstar. Sage, has been very sick with an autoimmune disorder called IgA Vasculitis. Our whole world has changed for the foreseeable future.

After being seen by multiple teams of physicians, dermatologists, nephrologists, and other specialists, every single person is in agreement this is the most severe IgA Vasculitis skin reaction they have ever seen. That she was inappropriately given a med she's allergic to added even more complications. Her skin has taken an enormous hit.

IgA Vasculitis is a form of vasculitis—a family of rare disorders characterized by inflammation of the small blood vessels, which can restrict blood flow and damage vital organs and tissues. IgA Vasculitis causes inflammation of the small blood vessels of the skin, joints, intestines, and kidneys. Rarely, it can affect the lungs and central nervous system. The exact cause of IgA Vasculitis is not fully understood. Vasculitis is an autoimmune disorder, a disease that occurs when the body’s natural defense system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue. Autoimmune disorders are not contagious. Although IgA Vasculitis is not chronic for most patients, it can be. About one-third of individuals who have IgA Vasculitis will experience at least one relapse.

Tara and Joel are small business owners. They have very little insurance and pay medical bills primarily out of pocket. This Fund raiser is to help with the ongoing and upcoming medical bills.

You can also support Sage directly this way-

Venmo @TaraMC4

CashApp $TMarieMC4

From Tara:

Sage's joint pain is now controlled enough that she'll be able to access the community in small ways. In the coming weeks, the lesions will finish opening and she will begin to walk again. Her skin will not totally heal for several months, and our new normal is that people will need to adjust. I ask that you consider beginning your adjustment process on your own, before being in her presence. Sage is still Sage, and the more we can treat her as such, the better her mental health will fare.

Here's what's hard.

*Sage has had enough energy to want to move around a bit. Doing so causes the antibodies to attach where there's increased blood flow. Her legs are now the worst they've been, and it feels overwhelmingly sad that she pays for feeling a little better by quickly feeling so much worse.

Here's what's good.

*The financial support is lifting stress in real time. While we've made a conscious decision not to look at the huge bills pouring in, it's such a blessing to not feel stress about all the special prescriptions and prepayments. Many of you know I was already dealing with my own unexpected medical journey when this all started, which is still ongoing. I'm really proud of myself for keeping all of my own appointments in the thick of this, and your support has allowed them to happen. I am close to my own diagnosis, which may come as soon as this week. It's very scary to be self-employed right now. We've both at least been able to pick up hours with our part-time gigs, and we trust that in tandem with your support, it'll all shake out.

How else can you help us?

*If you see one of our other kids in the community, continue to lend an encouraging word or listening ear.

*Support our small businesses, CTOhio and Community Grounds: Coffee & Meeting House , by either visiting us or interacting with our social media. Please encourage others to do the same. (Sage has her own side gig. Sage Says, with a few items for sale in our mercantile space. She's saving spending money for a long weekend at Sesame Place when she recovers.)

*Continue with all the little offerings that are uniquely you. I'm in awe of the many ways you hold space, of your words, gifts, and ideas. The diversity of our village has been taking center stage, and in the words of my preschool pal Lex Alcock, it "really just makes my heart pop from my eyes”

This is an open lesion that IgA causes. My Granddaughter took this picture

herself.