I’m writing this as Kyra’s mum, my name is Mandy.

For a few years, Kyra was living with me, and I watched her world slowly fall apart. Not in one big moment — but day by day.

About two years ago, she woke up one morning and couldn’t walk properly. She struggled to get dressed. She couldn’t open doors. Her hands were swollen, painful, and weak. Things most of us never think about suddenly became impossible.

What scared me just as much was her mind. The brain fog was so bad she couldn’t finish sentences. She would stop mid-conversation because the words just wouldn’t come. This wasn’t the Kyra I knew, I watched her life fall apart emotionally, physically and mentally.

She was later diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis.

Kyra had her own business as a scalp micropigmentation practitioner. It’s detailed, precise work; basically tattooing and it relies completely on hand strength and control. As her hands got worse, she couldn’t work. Eventually, she lost the business she had built from the ground up.

To survive, she had to live off the money she’d saved as a house deposit. That money is now gone.

Rheumatoid arthritis isn’t just sore joints. It’s inflammation throughout the whole body.

Kyra’s inflammation markers have been high, which means her body is constantly in an inflamed state. As her mum, I worry about what that means long-term — her heart, her organs, her future.

Her grip strength is extremely low. I’ve learned that grip strength isn’t just about hands, it’s a big indicator of overall health and even life expectancy. That terrifies me.

And through all of this, Kyra is a single mum to two young children. They need their mum. I need my daughter to be here.

Why We’re Looking Outside Australia

Kyra has tried everything she can here. She hasn’t just accepted this diagnosis and given up. She’s fought hard; changing her lifestyle, her food, her training, everything.

One of the biggest things that’s come up is her gut health. Testing showed her microbiome is severely depleted, with some important bacteria almost non-existent, some non existent. One of them doesn’t come back on its own once it’s gone. Kyra can only eat red meat at this stage; the only food that doesnt inflame her, never a trear, breaking the diet equals days to weeks of pain.

At this point, an FMT may be the only way to restore it. Sitting around 9k per FMT it's something that looks very promising but expensive.

Kyra is also looking into stem cell therapy, which has helped some people with severe autoimmune conditions reduce inflammation and regain function.

These treatments aren’t available here at the level she needs, which is why we’re looking at hospitals in Thailand, Turkey, or Mexico — wherever offers the safest and most advanced option.

The plan would also include full body scans and proper investigations, so nothing is missed.

The Reality of the Cost

None of this is cheap.

Between treatment, hospital care, travel, accommodation, and recovery, the costs add up very quickly. We’re setting a goal of $30,000 to cover medical and travel expenses.

If anything extra is raised, it will help Kyra get back on her feet financially after losing her business and savings, and give her some breathing space to actually heal.

Why I’m Asking

As a mum, it’s heartbreaking watching your child suffer, especially when they’re trying so hard to fight.

We aren't looking for sympathy. We just want a real chance to get better and so Kyra can be the mum her kids deserve and we can enjoy life again to its full extent.

If you’re able to donate or even just share this, we are deeply grateful.

Thank you for reading and for caring.

— Kyra’s mum; Mandy