Imagine being young, idealistic and loving God, family and your country. I wanted to give back to the country that had given me so much. I joined the US Army in 1988. During my enlistment I was sent to Iraq (Desert Storm). Honestly, I was fearful being in a unknown country, but along with my fellow comrades we learned so much about team work, dedication and the importance of fulfilling a commitment. I received a honorable discharge after spending years in the armed forces.

While I was in Iraq. I developed blurred vision in both eyes. About the same time I began noticing I had trouble running in the sand. I didn't worry much about it at the time, but years later when I looked back I realized this was the beginning of my journey with multiple sclerosis.

After completing my tour of duty. I returned home. What I thought was desert related neurological problems worsened. I especially had troubles with balance and fell occasionally. I experienced frequent terrifying visual symptom. I continued to work as a nurse and in occupational therapy despite my symptoms.

I saw numerous doctors who were unable to diagnose me. Finally after multiple spinal taps, and several MRI's later. I was given the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. MS is a disease where ones's own antibodies attacks the outer portion of neurons, rendering them damaged. No one knows exactly why some people get MS and others don't, but research is ongoing to this day. I would not wish this disease on anyone. Working in the medical field myself, I have seen how MS could devastate the body of otherwise healthy individuals. I prayed I would be one of the lucky ones who only develop mild impairments.

In 2015 I went through a huge MS flare up, unlike no other. The pain and numbness struck with no warning, I knew at this point as a medical professional I knew at this point I should be using a cane and or a walker, but I was in denial of my disease.

Through many hours of research in the US and abroad, I have found there was only one chance to regain my life back. The procedure that could halt MS in it's tracks is called hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT). This procedure is not an easy venture, and one I would not take without much consideration. This procedure is incredibly expensive in the US and is not covered by many healthcare insurance here or abroad. This treatment comes with risks and a host of potential side effects, including extreme sickness, infection, and possible death due to an extremely weakened immune system. Each new MS flare up I experience, means that this procedure that will halt my progression of MS will no longer be an option for me. Money should never be a barrier for healthcare in the US, but unfortunately this barrier does exist for many of us chronically ill people. This procedure is done at Clinica Ruiz, a top-notch clinic in Pueblo Mexico. They have an extremely high success rate and doctors that trained in the US at the Mayo Clinic. I am gratefully asking for a total donation of $65,000 dollars to cover procedure and expenses. This is a huge goal to ask for, but with everyones help, I can live without pain and the devastating crippling effects of multiple sclerosis. I want to regain my life back. I want to be healthy again and pay it forward to someone that is going through the fight i am every day! Thank you all for reading and God Bless!