Support Raena's Dad in His Battle with IBM

Hi, my name is Raena.

Around five years ago, my dad was diagnosed with Inclusion Body Myositis (IBM). It is a chronic and progressive condition that causes muscle inflammation and degeneration, slowly robbing him of the ability to walk, lift his arms, or even hold everyday items like a fork or a spoon. IBM has no cure, no effective treatment, and very little awareness. It’s often compared to ALS, only slower, and just as devastating. In the near future, he will be fully wheelchair bound and need full time care. This will also mean that he will no longer be able to work to support himself financially.

When people say that a disease affects not only the individual, but everyone around them, they are completely right. It is extremely hard for me to watch my dad lose the ability to do the things he loves. I do whatever I can to help him, taking care of our grocery runs and errands, helping him out of bed in the morning and helping him back in it at night. As things have changed in his life and the lives of each person around him, we have done everything we can to make daily life just a little bit easier for him.

This year I am fortunate enough to be going off to college at the University of Illinois. Unfortunately, this means my dad will be left living alone, as it has been just the two of us. I want my dad to be able to have the support he needs while I'm away.

All of the modifications he will need come at a cost, and your support will help us cover essential home modifications, medical needs, mobility equipment, and the growing costs of daily care. Every donation, no matter the amount, brings us one step closer to making life a little easier for my dad as he faces this devastating disease.

Thank you for taking the time to read our story, and for helping my dad in any way you can.