Support Mālia on the Road to Healing from CIRS

Story

Aloha a mahalo nui for reading and amplifying this message. ʻO ʻIolani Brosio koʻu inoa, and I am humbly asking for your support on behalf of Mālia Kaupe and her ʻohana as she navigates the long road of healing from CIRS (Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome), which is an extreme condition that is the result of mold toxicity. Although I have known Mālia for nearly 20 years, during the past three years we worked closely together on Kalauokekahuli, a nonprofit we founded alongside Wahinehula Kaʻeo to empower Kanaka Maoli and Pasifika birthing people. During this time, I have been able to witness the countless ways in which Mālia shows up for her community and ʻohana. If you have ever had the blessing to be supported by Mālia during the prenatal, birth, and postpartum periods, you know how dedicated she is to the mamas and ʻohana she serves as a koʻokua (doula). Having worked with over 120 families in her six years as a birthworker, Mālia is a fearless advocate who stands up for the rights and wellness of the mamas she serves and their pēpē (babies). If you are blessed to know Mālia, you know that she is generous of time, heart, knowledge, and spirit, and is the special kind of person who lives in service of others and in uplifting her community and loved ones. Those who know Mālia know that she is the kind of person who will hold space for you, provide a non-judgemental listening ear and shoulder to cry on, and then will wipe your tears and help you come up with a game plan. Mālia is one of the most motivated, "go-getter," and strong wahine I know, and as someone who is always lightening the load of others, Mālia is not one to burden people with the heavy parts of her life. So I, ʻIolani, am humbly asking for your support to help Mālia and her ʻohana to ʻauamo and share the financial burden that comes with navigating Mālia's long road to recovery from CIRS, an extreme chronic health condition that comes from prolonged exposure to mold. Please read on as Mālia shares her story below: "My symptoms gradually started a little over six years ago, but because the symptoms seemed unrelated to each other and spanned a number of different body systems, they were treated as such. I have been told I have carpal tunnel syndrome, degenerative disc disease, tendonitis, depression, leaky gut syndrome, and more. As things got exponentially worse in the last two to three years with debilitating symptoms, multiple infections, and hospitalization, it was clear something bigger was going on. My immune system was being overrun. In this time, I have suffered shingles, multiple kidney stones, severe migraines, fertility issues, rapid weight gain, miscarriage, thyroid issues, pneumonia, and more debilitating symptoms. Doctors and other healthcare professionals suspected conditions like chronic fatigue syndrome, Fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, Hashimoto’s, and even multiple sclerosis and lupus because of the severity of my symptoms, but none of these fit perfectly. In June 2022, the husband of a dear doula client of mine who is a western and functional medicine doctor helped me find some answers—I had a high level of mold toxins in my body. It turns out that I have “mold illness” aka CIRS (Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome), which currently affects my musculoskeletal, respiratory, gastrointestinal, neurological, and central nervous systems. After seeing several doctors and being passed from here to there, it was clear that with my genetic susceptibility and the carcinogenic nature of the mycotoxins found in my system, I needed the care of a particularly trained practitioner, well-versed in the nature of mycotoxins and highly experienced in treating people suffering from CIRS to guide me through recovery. Currently, Dr. Shoemaker’s CIRS Treatment Protocol is the only scientifically-proven way to treat Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS). It is highly complicated and requires intensive, specific tests and close monitoring. No board certification currently covers this illness, and the closest to such is completing Dr. Shoemaker’s CIRS Certification Program. After being shuttled through the medical system, I am finally so close to seeing someone who can treat me: Dr. McMahon. He is the first physician in the world to complete the rigorous testing and training to become proficient in Dr. Shoemaker's CIRS Treatment Protocol. I intend to visit Dr. McMahon's team in New Mexico in April. I will also need to take my two daughters so the doctor can see and test them for the specific genes susceptible to CIRS and also for biotoxin exposure. Hopefully, they’re in the clear. As you can imagine, the financial burden of these visits, the testing and long, complicated treatment plan—which may likely include uprooting my ʻohana and relocating for recovery—is daunting.” Please note that, unfortunately, the majority of care and treatment for mold illness is not covered by insurance. Click on the hyperlinks to learn more about CIRS and Dr. McMahon's practice. Mahalo nui for reading, amplifying this message and Mālia's story, and for donating anything you feel called to give. Me ka ʻoiaʻiʻo, ʻIolani