Friends and family,

If you have been following my health journey for the past three years you might have some insight into the deterioration of a young healthy woman into who I am today.

September of 2024 I experienced a sudden spinal injury that resulted in emergency surgery. I took time away from a demanding corporate job and thought that I would only need a few months to bounce back and then return to work, like any normal, educated 26 year old woman.

My body had other plans as a myriad of other issues manifested at the same time, leaving me disabled. I did not know at the time that this was not my fault and was due to factors outside my control.

My Nuero surgeon explained that the fabric of my body, the connective tissues holding me together, are weak and abnormal and to expect more back surgeries down the road. This is a genetic anomaly and I would begin to understand, as I slowly healed from the operation, how this would permanently affect me.

I spent two long, excruciating years taking charge of my recovery, exercising and rehabilitated myself whenever, I felt well enough to. Unfortunately, I was sick more days than I was well but eventually due to pressure on myself, I forced myself back into a fast paced corporate environment. I was strong at first but the physical demands of commuting, sitting in the office and intense stress, resulted in some of the worst pain I’ve experienced since the surgery.

This past month I sought treatment for the debilitating pain in my lower back, only to have that treatment backfire causing me even more illness and issues.

Corporate layoffs resulted in myself and the other contractors on my team having our contracts abruptly ended, mine scheduled to end Spring 2027. Now, due to forces out of my control, I am once again unemployed. With this extreme stress and failed treatment I am now too sick to seek employment at this moment in time.

I was fortunate to be put on the waitlist to be treated at the EDS clinic at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville Florida earlier this year. Typically, the waitlist is a year plus queue of other people waiting to be seen, but I was also incredibly lucky to have a spot open in April of this year. I am seeking a diagnosis and treatment for the debilitating symptoms I have been experiencing my entire life as well the new ones that have manifested as a result of me pushing myself and ignoring the warning signs my body has been screaming at me. They have culminated to a point where I can no longer live my life normally.

I am humbly reaching out and asking for help from my community because it has become clear that I can no longer do this alone.

I have always been a very motivated, ambitious and strong person and have refrained from asking for help until now because I did not think I actually deserved it and I have been plain stubborn. Now I know I need assistance to be able to make it to Jacksonville and I do not have the resources to do it alone.

My medical expenses, even with my health insurance from my employer, have crippled me. I am seeking assistance so I can travel to Jax to receive the care from doctors who have experience in dealing with patients with connective tissue disorders.

It’s difficult to explain what life is like in my shoes because to many eyes looking in I do not appear disabled. I feel full body physical pain in every joint and in my spine. My limbs partially dislocate on the daily. My nerves are damaged, and my cognitive function has deteriorated as well. Brain fog that seldom lifts and forgetting words are my new normal. I smile and bare it, attempting to live life normally, pretending like nothing is wrong.

The stress and guilt from being perceived as a failure to my family has caused me much mental distress as well, even when they have done their best to help me.

The very food I eat makes me sick to the point where I must retreat to my bed because of the lethargy and dizziness is too intense to stay vertical. I attempt to hide the symptoms to try to comfort the people around me. Missing out on social gatherings, sacrificing my relationships and disappointing those closest to me are daily rituals for me now.

Watching my peers move on and experience success while I am slowly forgotten in the past has been isolating and crushing. I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy, truly.

Please, if there is anything you can do to support my journey, I truly believe it will be a life changing opportunity. If you are unable to donate I would deeply appreciate your moral support as well. Simple things like well wishes or checking in helps to boost my spirits more than I can explain.

I am frightened for the future as the reality sets in that I am different. I will try to keep optimistic that with the correct care, my quality of life can improve.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for reading and caring.

— Natalie