Join Jena's Journey with Multiple System Atrophy

I am inviting you to join the journey with us through this fundraising campaign for the ongoing needs of my friend Jena Abbott. She is married to Travis (a retired teacher) and is a mother of twin 16-year-old girls (Carole and Francis). Several years ago, Jena noticed muscular weakness and started having issues with balance. She has had multiple falls that led to broken bones and required starting physical therapy. Doctor’s originally thought it was Parkinson’s, but she was later diagnosed with Multiple Systems Atrophy (MSA) a rare terminal illness at the Mayo Clinic.  MSA is a degenerative neurological disorder that slowly takes away a person’s ability to walk, talk, swallow and breathe. Treatment includes medications and lifestyle changes to help manage symptoms, but there is no cure. The condition progresses gradually and eventually leads to death. 
 
Since the diagnosis, Jena’s body has consistently deteriorated; she is now in a wheelchair. She is unable to complete household tasks and many self-care tasks due to weakness and muscle tremors. She has difficulty with speech but is still able to talk and loves to be with her family and friends.

Watching how much this illness has stolen from Jena, I wanted to do all I could to see she gets the help she desperately needs. Although she hates to ask for anything and does not want to be a burden to her family, she maintains a great outlook. The money from this fundraiser would help address these areas of need for Jena and her family: 

Providing physical & speech therapy, ongoing medical supplies and daily caregivers.
 
Fitting the downstairs with a shower (she must be transported to the second floor to shower).   

Building a ramp for the outside of the house.

Meet Jena in the short video below: