Support Sabrina Stone’s Journey to the Mayo Clinic

*Support Sabrina Stone: A Journey of Resilience & Community Support*

We’re launching a fundraiser to support Sabrina Stone as she faces a multitude of medical expenses during her upcoming visit to the Mayo Clinic from November 4th–8th.

Sabrina has been diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), a rare and complex soft connective tissue disorder. It has no cure, but treatments and therapy can greatly improve her quality of life. Unfortunately, the costs associated with this week-long visit are overwhelming. Living on a single income with mounting medical bills when she’s out of paid leave at work, she could use the support of her community. (You can read more about this condition via the links at the bottom of the page.)

Our goal is to raise at least $3,500 to help cover her Mayo Clinic expenses. Any additional funds will go toward her ongoing treatments, and physical therapy, and help with the loss of income.

Sabrina has always been the first to help others—now, it’s time for us to give back. Please contribute or share this fundraiser to support her on this challenging journey. Every little bit helps!

Let’s show Sabrina she’s not alone. (We asked her to write a bit about her journey so far, and she’s reluctantly agreed.)

“Sabrina’s Story”

Hey everyone,

I’m Sabrina, I’ve been asked to share a glimpse of my health journey with you so that you might understand a little of what I’ve been going through, and while it’s hard for me to talk about, I hope this helps bring some understanding.

For the last 18 years, I’ve been relentlessly searching for a diagnosis that explains all the overwhelming health issues I’ve been facing. Not just treatments for symptoms, but actual answers—answers that have been frustratingly out of reach for so long.

These past 4 years, in particular, have been some of the hardest of my life. I’ve dealt with one health crisis after another, including frequent ER visits, which I was never accustomed to before. Imagine living with symptoms that make you feel like your body is fighting against you every single day: intense adrenaline rushes that cause tremors and heart palpitations, leaving me feeling like I might pass out at any moment; severe gastrointestinal issues like colitis, gastritis, and gallbladder attacks; kidney problems; constant blurred vision; and black spots clouding my sight. Heat sensitivity is so severe that even the smallest increase in temperature can send my body spiraling. My migraines are debilitating, and the upper back pain and extreme exhaustion feel inescapable. And this is just scratching the surface.

All of these symptoms are linked to Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), Fibromyalgia, and POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome). What’s even more concerning is that the Mayo Clinic believes other underlying conditions may still be uncovered. That’s why I’m undergoing further testing so that I can have a clear path forward.

There’s no cure for EDS. It’s a lifelong condition that requires ongoing physical therapy and treatment, and it impacts nearly every aspect of my daily life. Even something as simple as taking a warm shower can trigger a cascade of symptoms. Just imagine: trying to hurry through a shower causes my body to panic. One morning, I collapsed on my bathroom floor, terrified as I called my parents and a friend for help. I couldn’t feel my arms, and they began drawing up as though I was having a seizure. I ended up in the ER, afraid of what was happening to my own body. It turns out my body went into fight-or-flight mode due to rushing and extreme heat sensitivity.

The physical pain is always there, but the emotional & mental toll is just as intense. Living with the constant uncertainty of what’s happening inside me, knowing that my condition will likely worsen over time, has been incredibly hard. The most frustrating part of this journey has been knowing there are answers out there somewhere, but not being able to find the right care to get them—until now.

The Mayo Clinic represents hope for me. It’s the one place where I might finally get the comprehensive care I need. With so few specialists for EDS, it’s been almost impossible to find the right help. Finally, after years of searching, a local physician listened to me, gave me the EDS diagnosis, and referred me to Mayo. (I’d like to take a moment to thank her, (I won’t give names, she knows who she is.) but THANK YOU, you’ve changed my future.) This is a huge step forward for me, but it will be a long process. I’ll be at the Mayo Clinic from November 4th to the 8th, with up to six appointments a day. It’s going to be mentally, physically, and financially draining, but I’m so ready for answers.

I know my diagnosis will likely progress as I get older. My symptoms will change, and physical therapy will be a lifelong necessity. That’s a hard reality to accept, but knowing I’m finally on a path to understanding my illness is the first step toward reclaiming some of my life back.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this, for supporting me, and for being part of my journey. Any help, encouragement, or support you can offer means the world to me as I face these challenges.

If you’d like to learn more about EDS I’ll post a couple of links below:

https://www.ehlers-danlos.com/what-is-eds/

https://www.ehlers-danlos.com/what-is-eds/hypermobile-ehlers-danlos-syndrome-heds/

With Love,

~ Sabrina Stone

Let’s unite as a community to show Sabrina the support she deserves.

No contribution is too small, and simply sharing this fundraiser will make a huge difference. Together, we can help Sabrina through this incredibly difficult time and ease some of the financial burden that comes with her medical journey. Our goal is to raise at least $3,500 to cover these immediate medical expenses. Any additional funds raised will go toward her future treatments and lifelong physical therapy.

Let’s come together and make a real difference in Sabrina’s life. She’s fought so hard for answers—now, let’s give her the support she needs to reclaim some of her quality of life.

Thank you

#MayoClinic

#EhlersDanlosSyndrome

#Community