HELP DINAH FIGHT MS
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Friends, family and well-wishers,
At some point in life everyone needs a helping hand. I am starting this page for my amazing, beautiful sister, Dinah, who was diagnosed with MS (Multiple Sclerosis) in 2005. My family has been thinking and praying for a way to help her and her husband, Steve, with their growing pile of medical bills and to help them equip their home to accommodate her needs. Steve is her main caregiver. He not only works his fulltime job, but also a few part-time jobs to keep up with the bills. However, as Dinah needs more help with everyday tasks, Steve has been unable to care for her and work extra jobs too. Up until recently they have managed to keep up with things, but they are now in need of help.
Anyone who has been fortunate enough to be in Dinah’s presence has no doubt been uplifted and blessed! Her life with MS has been full of challenges and obstacles, but through everything that has happened to her with this disease she has stayed positive. She has tried numerous treatments over the years to combat the disease and the various symptoms it has caused her. Including Bee Venom Therapy. Yes, stings of live bees to relieve symptoms such as pain and muscle weakness! Recently, her student nurse wrote this note to her -
“You are truly one of the most beautiful women (inside and out) that I’ve ever met! You are a beam of light and sunshine that God has blessed this world with! And I’ve been lucky enough to be blessed to cross paths with you. Getting to serve and take care of you has been such a pleasant experience.”
For those who aren’t familiar, here is a brief explanation of MS. Multiple Sclerosis is an autoimmune disorder affecting the central nervous system. This causes inflammation, scar tissue, and lesions in the brain and spinal column making it difficult for the brain to send signals to the rest of the body. It affects people in many ways.
In Dinah’s case it has caused numbness in her hands, making it difficult to write or hold on to anything. She is right-handed but has little to no use of her right hand. Everyday tasks, such as making a sandwich or showering by herself, are no longer possible. However, the most debilitating symptom is the way it has limited her ability to walk or move around. She lost the ability to drive many years ago. Until recently, she was able to get around, slowly, with a walker, but over the past year she had two relapses which left her in rehab for over a month each time. Although she has gotten stronger, and able to walk a good stretch with the help of a Spryte machine, she will be returning home in a wheelchair.
Steve and Dinah are working with their insurance company to get some outside help in the house, but it's uncertain if they will help cover this expense or for how long. And there are things the insurance will not cover such as renovating their bathroom so that it’s wheelchair accessible. Their current bathroom is tiny and almost impossible to maneuver her around in. At this point, Dinah needs in-home care every day. For Steve to continue working they need to hire outside help while he is at work.
A motorized wheelchair that can maneuver 'up and down' would give Dinah a small slice of her independence back. At this point, she is completely reliant on others for everything, even getting a glass from the cupboard or food from the refrigerator.
Also, items like a lift recliner and a chair lift, for the stairs, are not paid for by insurance and would make life so much easier for both Dinah and Steve. Since she is unable to stand easily or walk, getting in and out of a chair requires quite a bit of energy and requires assistance. Getting her in and out of the house is extremely difficult and requires the help of a few people.
Dinah is no longer able to travel in a car. She has missed multiple doctor visits because of this and getting out of the house for any reason is extremely difficult. Having a handicapped equipped van would allow her to go to doctor appointments, family functions, restaurants, stores, etc. This would also eliminate hiring medical transportation.
Funds will go to Dinah’s hospital bills, out of pocket cost for medications and items like those above, and any other treatment to manage her MS. Being sick is hard enough as it is – the added stress of medical expenses makes things even more difficult for them.
If Dinah has ever inspired you, made you laugh or feel loved, please consider contributing to this campaign.
PLEASE HELP US SPREAD THE WORD! Thank you!
At some point in life everyone needs a helping hand. I am starting this page for my amazing, beautiful sister, Dinah, who was diagnosed with MS (Multiple Sclerosis) in 2005. My family has been thinking and praying for a way to help her and her husband, Steve, with their growing pile of medical bills and to help them equip their home to accommodate her needs. Steve is her main caregiver. He not only works his fulltime job, but also a few part-time jobs to keep up with the bills. However, as Dinah needs more help with everyday tasks, Steve has been unable to care for her and work extra jobs too. Up until recently they have managed to keep up with things, but they are now in need of help.
Anyone who has been fortunate enough to be in Dinah’s presence has no doubt been uplifted and blessed! Her life with MS has been full of challenges and obstacles, but through everything that has happened to her with this disease she has stayed positive. She has tried numerous treatments over the years to combat the disease and the various symptoms it has caused her. Including Bee Venom Therapy. Yes, stings of live bees to relieve symptoms such as pain and muscle weakness! Recently, her student nurse wrote this note to her -
“You are truly one of the most beautiful women (inside and out) that I’ve ever met! You are a beam of light and sunshine that God has blessed this world with! And I’ve been lucky enough to be blessed to cross paths with you. Getting to serve and take care of you has been such a pleasant experience.”
For those who aren’t familiar, here is a brief explanation of MS. Multiple Sclerosis is an autoimmune disorder affecting the central nervous system. This causes inflammation, scar tissue, and lesions in the brain and spinal column making it difficult for the brain to send signals to the rest of the body. It affects people in many ways.
In Dinah’s case it has caused numbness in her hands, making it difficult to write or hold on to anything. She is right-handed but has little to no use of her right hand. Everyday tasks, such as making a sandwich or showering by herself, are no longer possible. However, the most debilitating symptom is the way it has limited her ability to walk or move around. She lost the ability to drive many years ago. Until recently, she was able to get around, slowly, with a walker, but over the past year she had two relapses which left her in rehab for over a month each time. Although she has gotten stronger, and able to walk a good stretch with the help of a Spryte machine, she will be returning home in a wheelchair.
Steve and Dinah are working with their insurance company to get some outside help in the house, but it's uncertain if they will help cover this expense or for how long. And there are things the insurance will not cover such as renovating their bathroom so that it’s wheelchair accessible. Their current bathroom is tiny and almost impossible to maneuver her around in. At this point, Dinah needs in-home care every day. For Steve to continue working they need to hire outside help while he is at work.
A motorized wheelchair that can maneuver 'up and down' would give Dinah a small slice of her independence back. At this point, she is completely reliant on others for everything, even getting a glass from the cupboard or food from the refrigerator.
Also, items like a lift recliner and a chair lift, for the stairs, are not paid for by insurance and would make life so much easier for both Dinah and Steve. Since she is unable to stand easily or walk, getting in and out of a chair requires quite a bit of energy and requires assistance. Getting her in and out of the house is extremely difficult and requires the help of a few people.
Dinah is no longer able to travel in a car. She has missed multiple doctor visits because of this and getting out of the house for any reason is extremely difficult. Having a handicapped equipped van would allow her to go to doctor appointments, family functions, restaurants, stores, etc. This would also eliminate hiring medical transportation.
Funds will go to Dinah’s hospital bills, out of pocket cost for medications and items like those above, and any other treatment to manage her MS. Being sick is hard enough as it is – the added stress of medical expenses makes things even more difficult for them.
If Dinah has ever inspired you, made you laugh or feel loved, please consider contributing to this campaign.
PLEASE HELP US SPREAD THE WORD! Thank you!
Organizer
Mary Auld
Organizer
Eldersburg, MD
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