Hi everyone, this is my best friend Norlesha.

 

 

She can brighten the room with her smile, funny jokes and pranks. I haven't met a person as funny, kind, loving and generous.

She always puts other people first, especially kids and the elderly.

She worked as a special needs teacher for children with autism, which is what she loves doing. Unfortunately, she was diagnosed with lupus on 2013 and

she is no longer able to continue with her career.

Norlesha's lupus has led to lung disease, fibromyalgia, panniculitis, an enlarged heart, flare-ups, and incredible pain all over her body. Sometimes her legs would give up when she is walking, causing her accidents while trying to go places.

She has been in treatment for 8 years, and she was doing pretty well until 2020 when due to covid restrictions, she wasn't able to get the treatment that she needed.

After being diagnosed, her husband couldn't cope with the new situation. He abandoned her instead of helping her throughout this new and scary condition.

His words to her were, "I can't have a sick wife." He refused to help her get her documents in place because she is not a Canadian citizen. For this reason, all expenses, medications and treatments must be out of pocket.

She is unable to get any kind of insurance and has no family to turn around and ask for help.

Since her husband left her, she's been fighting this disease showing great strength and determination. Unfortunately, her medical bills have become too much, and they keep piling up beyond her ability.

As of late, her health has begun to decline, which means she cannot work because she's been hospitalized too often. She has good days, but most of the time, she is in pain to the point that she can't move or even function.

And even though she never wanted to ask for help, I believe as her friend; we can come together and help her get through this challenging time so her medical bills would be one less stress in her life.

Some of the proceeds for this fundraiser will also help her to be able to attend a good facility where they can get to the root of her illness and hopefully she can go into remission.

We hope you can support her cause. If you can't donate, please help share this page, post to your story, and pass it along to friends and family. Anything helps.

Thank you in advance for giving Norlesha a new chance at a better life.

You may be wondering what Lupus is. Lupus is a disease that occurs when your body's immune system attacks your own tissues and organs (autoimmune disease). Inflammation caused by lupus can affect many different body systems — including your joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, brain, heart and lungs.