Health Crisis Fundraiser

Update *8/5

Elik Byrd has been diagnosed with Diffuse (Systemic) Scleroderma.

As she awaits further testing in order to begin treatment, she is accepting her reality of slow moving daily life and humbled by the loss of able-bodiedness. Difficulty breathing, swallowing and walking are new normals that will require significant rehabilitation once treatment can begin and slow the progression.

Elik continues to be grateful for all of the prayers and kind words as well as financial and physical support from her communities. *

Our beloved Elik Byrd needs our support as she navigates a health crisis. An autoimmune disorder has left her no choice but to take time off work to focus on diagnosis and treatment/healing options.

Elik has slowly witnessed her body go through changes over the past 3 years as symptoms have come and gone and then come again and worsened. The cycles of stress in the past 3 years as she has navigated working to support herself and her daughter, with increasing pain and physical limitations, has taken its toll. The severity was manageable until a rapid progression began over the past 6 months that has had a debilitating effect. Extreme fatigue, muscle weakness, shortness of breath, difficulty swallowing, and difficulty seeing have made it impossible to work at this time. What an intense challenge to undertake with a toddler under her wing! Luckily, Sylvie is a cool kid, but it’s not easy for her either- for her mama to not be able to engage in play or even pick her up when she needs a cuddle.

Elik is seeking a more valid diagnosis than “Connective Tissue Disease”, which she was given in 2022, in order to know what route of treatment will be best. Undergoing tests and waiting for referrals is all part of the process, and while she hopes to be able to return to full-time work, it is very unknown at this time when that will be and what that will look like.

Elik has worn many hats in our communities: friend, spiritual advisor, nurse, teacher, chef, priestess, midwife and mother. Let us uplift and be there for her as she has been for so many of us.

Prayers are welcome and needed and Any amount of financial charity is helpful and appreciated.