Laura's Fight of a Lifetime

After a "bout" of cancer and ensuing treatments and surgeries, while working and raising a family, I returned to
college when the government, in all its wisdom said I was disabled. I felt a little different about the situation. So, I
first earned my AA, then BFA/BA, and finally my MA [2013, picture 2]. I was so proud. I started teaching history at a local Community College [2014, picture 2], but it was not for me.

A job opened with the USAF as a civilian historian! I was like this is GREAT [2015-2018, pictures 3-6]!! After three years in the best career ever, I have become terrible ill. I have two opposing autoimmune diseases - Graves Disease and Myasthenia Gravis. So, most people will know about Graves Disease; it is a thyroid disease, radiation
treatment (I had to do it twice!) and medication for the rest of your life. The symptoms don't always go away; mine didn't. Myasthenia Gravis is rare, like MS but the disease is in the nerves. Both diseases can and did, in my case,
attack both the body and the eyes [2018, pictures 7-8].

If you would like to know more about Myasthenia Gravis please visit >

https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Fact-Sheets/Myasthenia-Gravis-Fact-Sheet

I literally went from flying with the eagles to being predominantly wheelchair bound(pic 1).

So, the Graves Disease makes me hyper, high-BP and high heart-rate. However, the Myasthenia Gravis, through 
repetitive use of muscles, the nerves don't get their signal anymore, and starts shutting the nerves/muscles
movement down.

This past year, I have had 4 MG crisis; that is where your breathing can stop, and med personnel can start
life - saving intubation. This past year wiped out nearly all my husband and my savings. I have well over $40,000.00 in medical bills. But I am only asking for help to get from NM to WV. It will put me near better medical help, my
family and seriously improve my spirits.  For now, I still try to work when I can, but it is getting tougher every day.

I need to move back East. For 2 reasons -1) to be closer to my family, and 2) to be closer to better medical care. This is imperative. I am working all the paperwork for both Social Security and Fed Med retirement. But it could take up to 4 -6 months to be approved, and that is if I stop working now!! But you can't stop working and keep a roof over
your head.

I want to finish my career on a high note and our military deserves it.  I don't just write the history of my Wing, I
also create beautiful military displays to honor our Airmen [2016, picture 4]. I am trying to finish the last two
projects before I retire.

Because of the Myasthenia Gravis and Graves combination, eventually I will become even more disabled, as your
nerves control everything you do - breathe, eat, walk etc.  After 3 weeks in the hospital and rehab this last hospital visit, I 
measured my daily activities in "how many spoons I use." So, you only have 100 spoons to use each day, just
doing regular everyday things that we take for granted, do your hair, makeup, get ready for work, make
breakfast, etc. and half your spoons are gone. 

The money I am asking for will help so that I can stop working here in NM and use the funds to move to WV to be
near family and better medical care. 

And, lastly you may ask, why in all the pictures is she smiling if all this is going on? All I can say in reply is even with
all the health problems, the Lord has blessed me with great family and great friends. There are days when I do cry,
but they are not winning yet.

You can make a difference, not just in my life but in the lives of others who suffer. Any funds received over
$25,000. 00 will be donated to Myasthenia Gravis Research. And, you may ask why the $10,000.00 difference
from what I am asking for and the cut off level for personal donations. It is a buffer, to cover any unforeseen
expenses that may arise during the move and getting set up. 



Thank you for your help! <3 

Bless you all