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Breaking the Mold

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If there had been a house fire that burnt all that I own to the ground, it would have been easier for people to understand and identify with what my family is dealing with -- at least on the financial level. If I had a more common illness that more people have witnessed or experienced themselves, the torment that my body inflicts me with would be better understood. But as it is, I have an uncommon illness that causes neurological damage when I enter most buildings -- especially in the Southeast. These symptoms are painful and debilitating at times, and have forced us to get rid of almost everything we own due to contamination concerns.

The stress and time-consuming effort has been all-encompassing for all of us.  It has caused my husband's work to suffer severely, as mentally and physically the focus of every day for him is alleviating my illness and taking care of the various needs of the whole family.  This has put us in even more of a position of need.

After leaving our home and possessions behind, we tried moving onto what appeared to be a clean bus-converted-to-tiny-home last year. This solution ended up being temporary though because mold got into the plumbing and roof-top air conditioners while we were in Florida this past winter, which then spread into the insulation and under the carpet tiles. By the time we got back to Georgia, the bus was beyond repair for someone who has what I have, and we had to get rid of it, while swallowing our substantial losses.

Since being out of the bus, and out of Florida, my extreme vertigo, brain inflammation, and some numbness has improved dramatically, while other symptoms like a swollen tongue, numb fingers, fatigue and weakness have improved, but are not gone. As soon as I enter a building, whether it be a church, grocery store, or a friend's house, the symptoms quickly come back, and will get increasingly worse if I stay there. The weather in Georgia has consistently been in the upper 90s this Spring and Summer, with very high humidity, including ozone levels at times that I'm not supposed to be exposed to. I feel horrible outside. I feel even more horrible inside.

​I’m asking for help from my friends, family, and caring strangers to get out West where it's dryer, less humid, and temperatures are lower. I have finally found a doctor that should be able to help me, but he can only help so much until I'm completely away from all mold exposure. ​My body will not respond completely to treatment until I'm out of mold 100%. I have not been able to get away from mold for the last 7 years in Georgia, no matter how "clean" the house looks. It hides in HVAC ducts, behind wall paper, behind walls, in basements, under the floors. The climate is too good for mold to spread and grow here. Our plan is to go West and camp in different locations until I find a place that doesn't make me sick, and then I can begin the healing process under the guidance of my doctor.​

Please consider helping me with doctor's expenses, camping equipment for a family of 6, and food and gas for the trip out West. We would like to leave before the beginning of August which is about 3 weeks away.

The fact that you read this means a lot to me, and even if you can't help financially, please pray for me and my family.

If you would like to make an off-line donation, please email me at happy[dot]human at gmail[dot]com for an address.

Breakdown:
Doctor- $1800
Camping (tents, chairs, cooking supplies, camping fees, etc.) - $2500
Gas- $500
Food - $2000

Total $6800

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Donations 

  • Curtis Jones
    • $705
    • 8 yrs
  • Anonymous
    • $20 (Offline)
    • 8 yrs
  • Anonymous
    • $1,000 (Offline)
    • 8 yrs
  • Anonymous
    • $500 (Offline)
    • 8 yrs
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Organizer

Pattie Bryan
Organizer
Buford, GA

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