Please support Ruth’s surgery

Hi my name is Ruth,

I know that it can be really easy to judge a book by its cover but believe me when I say that I am not asking for your help lightly.

 

Following a number of years of irregular periods, excessive hair growth and weight gain, at the age of 16 I was diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome. This condition and the impact on my health was difficult to come to terms with at such a young age. For as long as I can remember polycystic ovary syndrome has been a prominent factor in my life, most hurtfully being bluntly told that I will

Not be able to get pregnant, I have tried my hardest not to let it hold me back. I work full time as a teacher at a special needs school, and out of school I am the designated carer for my sister and live with my elderly parents and help take care of them. Knowing that bearing children of my own would be almost impossible, in my 20s I saved for years to be able to adopt. I am now the very proud single Mummy to my adopted son and daughter. This brings me the greatest joy that I have ever known.

 

One of the serious side effects of polycystic ovary syndrome is weight gain. Over the years, despite doing all I can to lose weight, I was told by my doctors that a gastric bypass was the only way to help me on my journey to a longer and healthier future. Anyone who has been involved in this process will know that it’s certainly not simple and there are many months of interviews, consultations, checks and even more checks before you can be approved for surgery. I was due to have surgery in 2020 when the Covid-19 pandemic hit the world. The date for my surgery has continued to be pushed back due to the demand on hospitals for Covid patients. I have recently been told that it will be at least mid-2023 before the waiting list even opens up again for surgery.

 

I need to be around for as long as possible to love and care for my two children who both had a difficult start in life and have special needs. I need to be fit, healthy and alive so that I can help them to grow into the best adults that they can be. I am desperate to have the surgery as soon as possible. It will cost £13,200 to have the surgery privately which could happen within weeks of having the funds.

 

This is an enormous amount of money, and I am asking if I could please get a little help along the way. For those of you who don’t know me, I appreciate that donating for you will be a leap of faith. However, I know that our world is full of good, generosity and kindness. So, I kindly ask you who have given your time to read my story that if you can spare any donation no matter how small, it would be hugely appreciated and gratefully received and would make the world of difference to my family and I.

 

Thank you