My friend Claudia B

After 19 Years of Illness, Claudia Needs Our Help

For nearly two decades, my friend Claudia has faced chronic illness with strength and determination. But the past year has brought severe migraines, neurological symptoms, and new medical challenges that have pushed both her health and finances to the breaking point. We’re asking our community to come together and help lighten the load.

Daily life now includes severe migraines, constant head pressure, muscle pain, dizziness, brain fog, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound. Each morning begins with the same difficult choice: gather the strength to get up and keep going despite the pain.

Over the years, her list of diagnoses has grown and become more complex. They are currently living with:

• Fibromyalgia

• Rheumatoid arthritis

• Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension requiring a VP shunt

• Occipital neuralgia

• Convergence insufficiency (a neurological vision disorder)

• A torn meniscus and MRI confirmation that a total knee replacement is needed

Managing these conditions requires constant medical care. Recent changes to a new neurosurgeon and neurologist mean traveling farther from home for appointments. There are regular visits to a rheumatologist every three months and Rituxan infusion treatments—two six-hour sessions every four months.

Despite everything, she continues working full-time, pushing through migraines, head pressure, balance problems, and chronic pain. But the reality is that the growing number of doctor visits, treatments, and difficult symptom days make it impossible to consistently work all scheduled hours.

The financial pressure has become overwhelming.

Medical deductibles, treatment costs, travel for specialist appointments, and lost work hours are piling up. Therapies that could help—like physical therapy and alternative treatments at the OM Center—are often skipped because the most recent medical bills have already stretched finances beyond the limit.

Through all of this, her wife Laura has been an incredible source of support. She manages the household, provides daily care, and works hard so they can keep basic expenses covered. But the strain of trying to juggle caregiving, work, and rising medical expenses is becoming too much for one person to carry.

This fundraiser is meant to help relieve some of that burden.

Your support will go toward:

• Medical deductibles and ongoing treatments

• Infusion therapy costs

• Physical therapy and supportive therapies

• Travel to specialists

• Household help and basic living expenses during periods when working full hours isn’t possible

Chronic illness is an invisible battle, fought quietly every single day. Asking for help is never easy, but the reality is that no one should have to fight something this difficult alone.

If you are able to contribute, share this fundraiser, or simply send encouragement, it would mean more than words can express.

Every bit of support helps lighten the load and allows her to focus on what matters most: healing, stability, and continuing the fight with hope.

Suggested Donation Tiers:

$25 — A Little Relief

Helps cover transportation to medical appointments or pharmacy costs.

$50 — A Step Toward Healing

Supports a portion of therapy or treatment expenses.

$100 — A Day of Support

Helps offset lost work hours due to doctor visits or severe migraine days.

$250 — Treatment Support

Helps cover part of infusion therapy or specialist care.

$500 — Real Financial Relief

Significantly reduces medical bill stress and helps keep essential treatments accessible.

$1,000 — Major Care Supporter

Provides meaningful support toward ongoing treatments and critical care.

Any Amount — Every Bit Matters

Even if you’re not able to donate, sharing this fundraiser can make a huge difference. The more people who see it, the more support we can bring to someone who has been quietly fighting for nearly two decades.”

Thank you for caring.