Help Olivia get Back on Her Feet

Hello everyone! My name is Amber and my cousin Olivia has been unable to walk since February 2023. At 25 years old, her body has completely given out on her. Can’t walk, half the time cannot talk, and has her partner as her full time caregiver. She has been told she has unspecified autonomic disorders, unspecified pain disorders and untreated unspecified migraine with aura and FND. There are days she loses consciousness multiple times due to pain or possibly exhaustion. “My symptoms control my life. I cannot sleep uninterrupted by pain, I cannot eat without medication, I cannot talk without medication. Yet my symptoms progress and worsen with no help. I have painful, long seizures with muscle rigidity strong enough to lock my jaw with teeth imbedded and create cramps and tremors. The worst part is I’m conscious for the entirety of the seizures. I can hear the rude comments, I can feel the overwhelmed doctors trying to hold me still, with no control over my body it hurts. I can’t keep living like this, but I refuse to give up. I’m in search of a new care team as mine has disappointed and dismissed these symptoms for long enough. I am happy to listen to ideas, or recommendations. My life has been one of pain, and hiding my suffering. There is nothing I want more than to recover, get back on my feet to the best of my body’s ability, and enjoy my loved ones who have stuck by my side. I am strong, but I am human. And I need help both financially and medically. I hope to use my story to help others in my future, but first I must recover. Thank you all for reading - with love Olivia”

With all sorts of trips to hospitals, loads of tests, there are still no answers. With her unable to move and her partner having to care for her full time, he has been unable to work. With no income and their savings withering down to nothing, their apartment and safe space for them and their cats is becoming at risk. We would greatly appreciate any and all support, even if all you can do is share the link. We know this is a hard time financially for everyone, but we appreciate anything anyone can do! Thank you so much!

Update 10/3/2024: “Hi everyone, I have both positive and negative updates. Luckily I have found more answers, which has led to some treatment! I have also returned to physical therapy and taken my first steps in a year and a half with what my PT instructor says is tremendous progress! Unfortunately there is not full and proper care for my conditions in Boston, so a move is in order. I am going to be disabled by FND, POTS, PMDD, C-PTSD, de-conditioning and possible other autonomic conditions for the rest of my life. Yet, I will never let any of this stop me. Christian (my partner and caretaker) and I are looking to fund a move to get proper healthcare, and a fresh start. Now that we know how to better navigate the medical world, we are seeking care elsewhere for a second opinion. Any donations towards my medical care, moving costs and cost of living is so greatly appreciated, thank you!” - Liv :)