I'm fundraising for my friend Silvana Griffith who is due to have her right leg amputated on Friday, May 13th. While health insurance will cover the costs of the procedure and a prosthetic, it does not help with all other expenses associated with her aftercare. The money raised here will help pay for a nurse to take care of her post-surgery, meals & other living expenses, car rides to and from the hospital, physical therapy, and any potential upgrades needed for the new prosthesis.

 

Silvana and I met at the dog park when our dogs instantly gravitated toward each other. Her dog Tita had pink bows in her ears and was the cutest and sweetest cockapoo you could imagine. We traded phone numbers, and soon our morning walks along Greenwich Avenue (with two other friends and their dogs) became my favorite way to start the day. Through our walks, I learned about Silvana's life and her incredible bond with Tita.

 

In 2009 Silvana was diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), a group of disorders that affect connective tissues supporting the skin, bones, blood vessels, and many other organs and tissues. EDS can result in joint pain and loose joints, making a person "accident-prone"; it can also make it difficult to recover from surgery. As a result of EDS, Silvana has fallen and dislocated many parts of her body and had to undergo numerous surgeries, including elbow reconstruction and six surgeries related to her right ankle. These health issues made it impossible for Silvana to work; she was a systems support coordinator for an Investment Banking & Brokerage firm. Prior to EDS, Silvana also beat breast cancer and had brain surgery. She has no family in the US and currently subsists on a fixed income from social security disability.

 

Silvana was blessed to have Tita by her side throughout her health challenges. Tita started as just a pet but quickly stepped up into the role of a service animal. With training, Tita learned to sense when Silvana was about to faint and would nudge her to sit down, an ability that is nothing short of a miracle. After Silvana's elbow surgery, the doctors and nurses had trouble waking her up from the anesthesia. It was Tita's kiss and comforting touch that brought Silvana back. The bond between these two was truly exceptional. Sadly, at age 13, with her vision eroded from cataracts and glaucoma, Tita grew weak and suffered much pain. On St. Patricks Day a few weeks ago, Silvana had to do the unthinkable and say goodbye to Tita to end her suffering.

 

I know that Tita's story may seem tangential to Silvana's health challenges, but Silvana has always found so much comfort in Tita. On Friday, Silvana will undergo an unimaginable procedure to amputate her right foot, and she will have to endure this pain while still grieving the loss of her best friend. I cannot imagine the strength it will take to bring oneself into that OR; I am in awe of her courage, and I am outraged by the amount of pain one person should be made to endure.

 

Please help support Silvana's recovery and road back to mobility and independence. With your contribution, we will be walking along Greenwich Avenue again in the very distant future.