My name is Paula and for over 20 years, I have taught General Education and Special Needs students both in North Carolina (Fort Bragg at that time) and then Georgia. I absolutely loved everything about my job: watching the students grow, seeing their gains, and observing their progress as they moved on from school to college, the military, or the workforce. In November of 2024 I was diagnosed with Werenike’s Korsakoff Syndrome which affects my memory and mobility. I had to stop working, entered hospital and lost everything I had built and worked for. It is now almost a year later and I have to begin to move forward and rebuild my life. The first step is to have my green card reissued as it went missing while I was in hospital. This costs approximately $800. The remainder will be spent on looking for a handicap accessible apartment. I am seeking donations to begin to rebuild my our life from the ground up. As soon as I am back on my feet I want to begin a campaign to educate people of this affliction and tools to go on with their life. With your help I can make this a reality.

In the fall of 2024, I was diagnosed with Wernicke’s Korsakoff Syndrome from years of being low in Vitamin B1, which was never addressed by my doctors. I have been in the hospital since November of 2024 and have lost everything I have ever worked for. My children had to move out of state (my daughter in her senior year), and we were thrown a huge curveball that turned our life upside down.

Now, I am trying to rebuild so that my children have a home to come back to. I am going to get out of the hospital soon and have to reside in assisted living for a while until I am hopefully back to myself and healthy. Unfortunately, I cannot work until my memory improves, and I miss my job terribly, but I know I will get back there one day

In time, I will work to better myself but also bring awareness to this disease. My ultimate goal is to one day have a program for individuals with this illness to arm them with the tools to get back on their feet after this affliction. In the meantime, I aim to get back on my feet so that I can follow that dream.

Any contribution, no matter how small, will mean so much to us and help provide some stability as we try to rebuild our lives. If you are unable to donate, we would be grateful if you could keep us in your prayers and share this campaign with others.