Hello Everyone near and far. My name is Amber Cruz, I am the youngest, daughter of Denna’ Muncy. Many know her from her years as a cheerleader and Senior Favorite from both local, High Schools here in LaGrange, forty-years-ago. Others, from time spent in the military, married to the military and some for her hard work being instrumental in up starting an Air Ambulance Service in the Caribbean, or with the homeless population in Troup County or as her time working as the Coordinator for Feeding the Valley Food Bank, and for the last five-years, the Family Coordinator of Harmony House Domestic Violence Shelter.

There are many other ways you may remember her, as she doesn’t like the limelight. She keeps her life very private. Mom has been a servant of the people all of her life, in every country imaginable, situations we’ve only read about. Still her smile, and tenacity brought them through. Never asking for herself but for countless others. Here favorite saying is, ‘they say no I can’t help. My mom politely has a way about her where she states , oh I am sorry, I’m dyslexic and I only hear it’s on.’

My mom has been battling a rare, neurological disorder known as Trigeminal Neuralgia aka the ‘Suicide Disease’ for three-years. It is constant electric shocks from nerves pressing on other vital nerves. This disorder generally brings men/women to their knees but being one to never complain she worked through it and continued to help change countless lives through her dedication of those abused. Then she would go home and crawl into her hall. You see my mom is also a domestic violence survivor and though she seldom speaks of it to others, I know she shares it with those who like her, not survivors. Is this where her TN began? It’s hard to say, but it is where her journey began at the age of 22-years-old in a foreign country where abuse was not as recognized as it is today. During those years, abuse was something ugly, embarrassing and hidden under the carpet as not to reflect badly on the military or her specialty.

This March her TN roared in with a vengeance and for once in my life the woman who always fixed, guided, directed, empowered women and men who came into the shelter broken that their lives would get better, and to never lose hope. Finds herself at that same crossroads. Our family has quickly tried so many different medications that she feels constantly overdosed, severely dehydrated and for someone who refused to take an aspirin all of this must be so overwhelming for her. A normal person would have broken yet she gets up, starts her day still trying to help those in need before herself. It’s what makes her feel needed and this I believe keeps her focused away from her own pain if only for a minute.

We have taken all the medical, required, 3-year journeys of patience, misdiagnosis, doctor visits, ER visits etc. my mom has decided with the Neurologist, Dr.Lee that she must battle ahead and opt for the least invasive brain surgery, to the most invasive. Dr. Lee and his staff are so understanding of how debilitating TN but as my grandmother has always said, ‘we come from a good

stock of strong, determined, hardheaded women and God will help us find her peace in life again. As her daughter, It’s hard to even write the amount of pain this has caused upon her and this work, dynamo mom, we’ve always known as a champion, leader, loving woman, now has little energy to rise up, like the Phoenix through the ashes to help battle to heal herself.

As a family we are worried, but we have faith, as we serve a loving, merciful, God who hears the prayers of His children for her and countless others suffering. Prayers from the people all are around this world have been coming in. We read them to read, and though overwhelming at the our pouring of love, she would do it for each of you without hesitation.

My mom continues to serve daily, (even from her bed), to all the men and women battling through PTSD, domestic violence, financial abuse, mental abuse, homelessness, and suffered of TN she is their voice when they feel they have lost the power to use it or their way. When they are giving in, she loans them her personal strength and piece of her backbone to hold them steady and her undying fortitude, but to continuing to persevere because on the other side is a greatness meant to be loved free from pain and suffering. Remember, pain comes in many levels and ones pain is no greater than another’s pain. It is all relevant in life, our lives.

That is what this will be, a journey with a hopeful ending, where she will return to do battle against the ones they are most afraid and restart their lives anew filled with hope and the promise to be there if ever needed.

If you can help us, while she prepares for brain surgery to help cover the cost of living, personal expenses, her concern is her health but doesn’t want to lose everything she battled to achieve.

To our community and from far and beyond, my Mom would never ask for help so as her family, we will. We want these monies to be translated, monitored and followed by the laws governed by GoFund Me. We simply say no gift is to small. If anyone has any other suggestions to help bring awareness to this incapacitating disease, we are open. If you would please keep our mom in your prayers as she continues to battle. We firmly believe that prayers can be answered by finding a connection in the Neurological office, standing in line at Publix or Facebook who know of others suffering. Thank you everyone and may God continue to bless each and everyone of you throughout your journey of this life.

God will bring us to His highly skilled Physicians, time shall tell. She can’t go on much longer with little to no sleep and constant, electrocutions, little appetite an severe dehydration.

We just love her so and 59 years young has a lot of life let to life. God knows your hearts.

Amber Cruz