Wendy and I have been friends for around 30 years, having met in New York and now both living in Arizona. Over the years, I’ve seen her face unimaginable challenges with strength and grace. Ten years ago, Wendy lost her husband to melanoma, leaving her to raise two young sons on her own. Despite her grief, she poured everything into providing for her boys, working tirelessly as a single mom and public school teacher.
Three years ago, Wendy developed “foot drop”—a neurological condition where the nerves in her leg no longer communicate as they should, causing the inability to lift her foot and the need for constant use of a brace to walk safely. Even with the brace, she has lost her balance and fallen on several occasions—an experience that was both frightening and deeply embarrassing for her. The inability to trust her own body has left her feeling increasingly vulnerable. On top of this, her migraines, which had been manageable for years, suddenly intensified, becoming so severe that her doctor ordered an MRI. When the results came back abnormal, she was catapulted into a long and complicated diagnostic process that continues now. This has required her to be seen by a variety of medical specialties—vascular neurology, hematology, rheumatology—to rule out (or confirm) a possible autoimmune condition. Unfortunately, right now, there are more questions than answers.
These health problems have forced Wendy to stop working and use up her small savings to cover medical and insurance bills. The stress of trying to hold everything together while managing her health has been overwhelming, but Wendy continues to put her sons first and remains a caring friend to those around her. The funds raised will go directly to Wendy’s insurance costs and medical payments, allowing her to stay connected to the specialists who know her case and continue the diagnostic process without interruption. This support will give her the chance to focus on her health and begin to rebuild her life. Wendy has always been there for her community—she even set up a GoFundMe for me when I was battling cancer a couple of years ago, and it was truly a lifesaver. Now, it’s our turn to give back. I am honored to set up this fundraiser for Wendy, and I hope you will join me in extending some of the love and support she needs now. Any contribution or sharing of this campaign will make a meaningful difference.
Three years ago, Wendy developed “foot drop”—a neurological condition where the nerves in her leg no longer communicate as they should, causing the inability to lift her foot and the need for constant use of a brace to walk safely. Even with the brace, she has lost her balance and fallen on several occasions—an experience that was both frightening and deeply embarrassing for her. The inability to trust her own body has left her feeling increasingly vulnerable. On top of this, her migraines, which had been manageable for years, suddenly intensified, becoming so severe that her doctor ordered an MRI. When the results came back abnormal, she was catapulted into a long and complicated diagnostic process that continues now. This has required her to be seen by a variety of medical specialties—vascular neurology, hematology, rheumatology—to rule out (or confirm) a possible autoimmune condition. Unfortunately, right now, there are more questions than answers.
These health problems have forced Wendy to stop working and use up her small savings to cover medical and insurance bills. The stress of trying to hold everything together while managing her health has been overwhelming, but Wendy continues to put her sons first and remains a caring friend to those around her. The funds raised will go directly to Wendy’s insurance costs and medical payments, allowing her to stay connected to the specialists who know her case and continue the diagnostic process without interruption. This support will give her the chance to focus on her health and begin to rebuild her life. Wendy has always been there for her community—she even set up a GoFundMe for me when I was battling cancer a couple of years ago, and it was truly a lifesaver. Now, it’s our turn to give back. I am honored to set up this fundraiser for Wendy, and I hope you will join me in extending some of the love and support she needs now. Any contribution or sharing of this campaign will make a meaningful difference.
Organizer and beneficiary
Wendy Lieberman
Beneficiary