Scleroderma Sucks

Many of us came to know Michelle through her healing hands.  She was our massage therapist for years, dedicating herself to the healing practice of therapeutic massage and thai massage, always leaving us feeling much better then berfore she touched us.  Sadly Michelle no longer can practice her trade.  She was diagnosed with Scleroderma a few years ago, and this terrible disease has taken much away from her, including her ability to work.  It has changed her life dramatically.  Each day is met with varying challenges, and pain.  The battle against scleroderma is a constant uphill battle.  It is mentally, emotionally, and finacially draining.  Anyone who knows Michelle won't be surprised that she doesn't share those challenges with most of us... Or maybe a better way to explain it is she doesn't often complain.  She is one of those rare people that finds the good in any situation, although if I am honest I don't know how much good you can find in Scleroderma other then the very real accomplishment of being ALIVE.  She keeps going, she helps others, she is an inspiration, and she is as strong as anyone I have ever known.  She's been through a Stem Cell Transplant, which many describe as bringing someone to the brink of death, and then slowly bringing them  back.  While she is certain the treatment saved her life,  it by no means cured her, hopefully it has slowed down the progression.  She is often times anemic to the point of transfusion.  She has had 3 surgery's in the span of a year, two of which happened just in the past few months.  She remains postive, and happy, and sweet, and strong, and funny..... She has never once asked for help.  Nor is she asking for help now, but I promise,  if you spend even a second putting yourself in her shoes, it is impossible not to WANT to help .  We can't change the course life has taken for Michelle, we can't erase this utterly life changing diagnosis, but we can help take some stress off the top of an increasingly overwhelming situation.  Dr's bills, Insurance bills,  Unforseen surgery....Then add to all of that, the ordianary everyday stuff most of us take for granted as neccessary nuisances.   Any amount will do, no donation is too small.  Let's all come together and help someone who has helped so many of us throughout the years.  Thank you so very much... and  If you'd like to learn more about the crippling disease that is Scleroderma please visit www.scleroderma.org