MS Stinks.

I honestly don’t know how to start this—or how we even got here. But my sister Andrea needs help. More help than one family can give. And the kind of help she needs costs far more than what a retired teacher with little income can afford.

Andrea has progressive multiple sclerosis. In just five years, she’s gone from being a full-time gym teacher, driving herself to work and staying active, to being completely immobile—unable to move even a finger. She can’t feed herself, scratch an itch, or get to the bathroom on her own. Every day is a struggle, and while she still believes she will walk again—and I want to believe with her—right now, she’s trapped in a body that won’t cooperate.

She’s only 46 years old.

She lost her job after getting COVID again in 2022. That job kept her active and gave her purpose. Losing it meant losing her independence. She now requires full-time care, medical-grade equipment to move her safely, weekly hygiene care, and regular doctor’s appointments. Family is all she has. And we’ve done everything we can—but it’s not enough.

I’ve been begging her to let me ask for help. And now, finally, she’s agreed.

So I’m asking. From the bottom of my heart: please help us give Andrea a fighting chance.

Your donation will help cover the cost of a full-time caregiver, medical supplies, and the support she needs to live with dignity and comfort. She deserves more than just surviving—she deserves the chance to hope again.

No one should have to go through this. Especially someone like Andrea—once the strongest, most active person I knew. Watching this disease take everything from her has been the hardest thing I’ve ever faced.

Please, if you can help—even a little—it would mean the world to me, and more than I can say to her.

With all my heart,

A very worried little sister who just wants her big sister to have a chance at life.

A message from her twin sister and my other big sister, Christa

I'm writing to share some information about my twin sister, birth-bestie, road dog, pain in the you know what, Andrea DiDonato. In 2018, Andrea was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Today, her doctors have indicated that she has secondary progressive MS with a possible overlap of Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO). NMO is another autoimmune disease that affects the nerves. Yep. Pretty rare. But for those who know Andrea, they know, she's a rare one. She's exceptional and at one point the epitome of an "independent woman."

Andrea demonstrated her ability to achieve at an early age. She knew her ABC's before me, always got better grades and we both earned a black belt in Ishin-Ryu karate at the age of 13. We started when we were 6 years old. From 6-16 she always won all those tournaments.... Except for one....I do have (1) first-place sparring trophy from a national tournament that I sometimes need to remind her of. LOL.

Andrea also excelled academically, earning two master's degrees – one in marketing & physical education. For over 15 years, she was a dedicated and valued employee of West Aurora High School in Aurora, Illinois, where she worked as a gym teacher, cross country coach, and basketball coach.

Today it's impossible for her to continue in that role, as she is facing significant physical limitations. It's difficult to imagine someone with 95% paralysis being able to continue as a physical education teacher. It's even harder for her to admit, she can't. Soul crushing! Knowing she physically can't. "I think I can," is all we've ever known, and she was great at what she did. I still meet kids who say, "Ms. D.?" Then they tell me how much they loved her, or how she was their favorite teacher. I just say, oh that's my twin.

The cost of hiring an agency caretaker is incredibly high. I received quotes from three different in-home care agencies, and the most affordable option was $26,000 per month. Not sure I know many folks that can afford that, plus mortgage, utilities, health insurance etc. She's been trying for years, using social media, to find an affordable caretaker. Lol! I can fill you in on some of those stories next time I see you. Needless to say, we haven't found one.

We have also been trying for almost two years to obtain Medicare for Andrea, who is disabled but under the age 65, and have been unsuccessful. I know, it's supposed to start automatically after 2 years....but she was a teacher. They don't pay into social security. They do pay into Medicare. But internally SS & Medicare vibe with each other. So all our Government employees that become disabled before the age of 65, let me tell you, you are in for a treat. Medicaid is only available to individuals with an income of less than $1400 per month. She most definitely cannot go without health insurance. Guess how much that costs a disabled person receiving teacher pension disability income. A discounted rate of $600 a month.

There's no way around it. Independant no more. Andrea needs 24/7 care 365 days a year, and we need help. If you, or anyone you know, is a great caregiver, please reach out. We are paying.......Just not $26,000. If you can donate to help us afford it, from the bottom of my heart thank you!

We have one angel of a person, a family friend, who helps us daily to care for Andrea. Thank you Dan! Other than that, I'm proud of us, Mom, Dad, and Ashlee for pooling our time, resources, energy, and strength to do what we've needed to for the last 2 years to make this work.

A twin fighting for her other half.