My name is Adrienne Shaffer, for nearly 14yrs I was a makeup artist and took great pride in my ability to work hard and earn a living. I have been greatly humbled in the last year.
I was first diagnosed with Graves Disease in November of 2015 and by January of 2016 I was first hospitilized for a mysterious muscle related condition. By March of 2016 I had lost the ability to hold my arms up and was unable to continue working in the career I loved. This in itself was a crushing blow as was giving up my apartment when I could no longer make it up the stairs or pay rent.
I now live with my mom who I am eternally grateful for, she is disabled with a rare condition called Acute Intermittant Porphyria and is on a fixed income. She has now become my caregiver in a turn of events I could never have imagined.
Throughout 2016 I underwent extensive testing and in spite of frequent ER visits and hospitilizations a cause for the condition which at times left me unable to move or speak could not be found. I left the hospital in a wheelchair in August. When the cause of my weakness and muscle spasms could not be found I eventually lost Long Term Disability benefits.
I worked hard to gain back the ability to walk without assistance and could finally see a light at the end of the tunnel, I got a job and was ready to rejoin the world.
I was dealt another crushing blow when I was hospitalized on my birthday November 8th for rhabdomyolisis, the second time in a year. This was a blessing in disguise. I now may have a name for the condition which has taken so much, Stiff Person Syndrome. I had to google it as I'm sure you will too. It is an incredibly rare muscle condition which causes painful spasms. I experience them in my whole body now. Like a cramp in your foot but everywhere. More time and testing is needed to confirm this diagnosis.
I am now being forced to quit the job I started a day after leaving the hospital. It is proving too difficult and painful to stand even with the assistance of a cane and I am again using a walker for long distances.
I have gone through every savings account and 401k and in 2 weeks will be unable to pay bills. I am looking for a sit down job but have had no luck yet.
The money will be used to pay medical and other bills, see doctors until other benefits can be arranged, help my mom with rent and hopefully keep my car.
I have had a difficult time writing this, I have never been one to ask for help but a woman I greatly respect sent me something called The Power of Asking. So I send this out with a prayer that it will be read and the full intention to pay it forward as soon as I can.
Thank You for reading my story and from the bottom of my heart for anything you can give.
I was first diagnosed with Graves Disease in November of 2015 and by January of 2016 I was first hospitilized for a mysterious muscle related condition. By March of 2016 I had lost the ability to hold my arms up and was unable to continue working in the career I loved. This in itself was a crushing blow as was giving up my apartment when I could no longer make it up the stairs or pay rent.
I now live with my mom who I am eternally grateful for, she is disabled with a rare condition called Acute Intermittant Porphyria and is on a fixed income. She has now become my caregiver in a turn of events I could never have imagined.
Throughout 2016 I underwent extensive testing and in spite of frequent ER visits and hospitilizations a cause for the condition which at times left me unable to move or speak could not be found. I left the hospital in a wheelchair in August. When the cause of my weakness and muscle spasms could not be found I eventually lost Long Term Disability benefits.
I worked hard to gain back the ability to walk without assistance and could finally see a light at the end of the tunnel, I got a job and was ready to rejoin the world.
I was dealt another crushing blow when I was hospitalized on my birthday November 8th for rhabdomyolisis, the second time in a year. This was a blessing in disguise. I now may have a name for the condition which has taken so much, Stiff Person Syndrome. I had to google it as I'm sure you will too. It is an incredibly rare muscle condition which causes painful spasms. I experience them in my whole body now. Like a cramp in your foot but everywhere. More time and testing is needed to confirm this diagnosis.
I am now being forced to quit the job I started a day after leaving the hospital. It is proving too difficult and painful to stand even with the assistance of a cane and I am again using a walker for long distances.
I have gone through every savings account and 401k and in 2 weeks will be unable to pay bills. I am looking for a sit down job but have had no luck yet.
The money will be used to pay medical and other bills, see doctors until other benefits can be arranged, help my mom with rent and hopefully keep my car.
I have had a difficult time writing this, I have never been one to ask for help but a woman I greatly respect sent me something called The Power of Asking. So I send this out with a prayer that it will be read and the full intention to pay it forward as soon as I can.
Thank You for reading my story and from the bottom of my heart for anything you can give.