“Emily is a devoted wife and mother of three, fighting a rare and life-threatening disease. Your support can bring hope, stability, and strength to her family during this unimaginable time.”

Hello friends, family, and kind-hearted supporters,

My name is Emily Reed, and I never imagined I’d be writing this. Over the past few years, my life has completely changed because of a rare and devastating condition called Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS). EDS affects the connective tissues throughout my body—my joints, skin, blood vessels, and organs.

I was first diagnosed with Hypermobile EDS in 2020 after my first child was born. At the time, doctors told me it was a mild form and would progress slowly. Sadly, that was not the case. After the birth of my second child in 2022, my health began to decline rapidly. I now require custom leg braces just to walk, and I’ve endured countless injuries, surgeries, and additional diagnoses—fibromyalgia, cranial and cervical instability, small fiber neuropathy, and more.

In the past two years, things have gotten even harder. I was diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome, dysautonomia, chronic lung fatigue, and possibly Mast Cell Activation Syndrome. But the most frightening diagnosis of all has been vascular EDS—a severe form that affects my veins, arteries, and organs and carries a shortened life expectancy, often only into the early 40s. I’m just 28.

Because of this, I am now on disability, unable to work, and under palliative care for pain management. I have a port for IV fluids twice a week, which has already been replaced twice in one month. I’ve endured a hysterectomy at 28 due to complications from endometriosis, fibroids, and prolapse. Surgeons have deemed me inoperable because my body is too fragile for repairs.

Daily life has become a constant battle. I can’t care for my three young children on my own. I frequently pass out, fall, and suffer severe muscle cramping. At times, I face a choice between living in a wheelchair or enduring multiple joint dislocations every day. My husband now has to do everything—from cooking and cleaning to bathing the kids and even brushing my hair when I’m too weak. He has had to take time off work to care for me after procedures and treatments, and time off is money lost, but what can you do?! It’s such a struggle.

We have always been independent and never wanted to ask for help. But now, so many of you have asked how you can support us, and the truth is, we can’t do this alone anymore. Any donation, no matter the amount, will go toward past-due medical bills, future treatments, housing, and basic necessities for our family of five.

If you can’t give, please share this page and keep us in your prayers. Your kindness means the world to us. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for reading my story and for standing with us during this difficult journey.

With love and gratitude,

Emily Reed & Family

venmo @emmymessick