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About Us
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Hi, my name is Samantha
I am 21, a full time college student and recently started working full time at a retail store. I have a younger sister who is 17 graduating this year from high school and an older sister, Nikki, who just swore in active duty with the United States Air Force. Raelee (my younger sister) and I both live at home so our mom is not alone.
About 5 ½ years ago at the age of 39, my mom became very ill. For two years she went undiagnosed because every doctor she went to had no answers. First came the debilitating fatigue, then the joint and muscle pain, cognitive problems, flu like symptoms and the list went on. Her close friends, family, and we saw her going downhill fast. In September of 05 she finally was diagnosed with CFS/ME (CFIDS), fibromyalgia and chronic lyme disease in Ohio. |
 |  | | | | | | | | Raelee and step-brother Parker |
My mom never gave up trying to find something that would help her feel better so she could try to hang on to the life she had known. I cannot begin to tell you how many doctors she went to see and how hard she had tried to save her job. But in May of 08, she was pulled back
out of work and has been on disability ever since. Finally in October of 08 she had the privilege to meet with a doctor who is one of the world’s leading experts for CFS in Lyndonville, NY.
With his gracious help and her primary physician’s help she is now giving herself IV fluids through a picc line every day. This has helped her regain more energy so she is not confined to bed as much as she was. It’s not a cure, but merely helps with the hypovelmia and POTS (post orthostatic tachycardia syndrome) that often is found in this illness.
Some people with CFS/ME are as sick and functionally impaired as someone with AIDS, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or breast cancer. Not only does it affect the person who is suffering terribly but it also can have a devastating impact on the family unit. Our mom's fiancé and companion of many years left her and our home in the spring of 2009 because he couldn’t handle her illness and wanted his life back.
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It’s our turn now to pick up where he left off. It’s not uncommon to lose family and friends because the illness forces the sufferer to make serious life changes. So even though this illness has robbed so much from my mom’s life, she still tries to stay strong and holds on to her hopes her dreams and her aspirations.
She will not allow it to break her spirit. Our mom is our hero because no matter how horrible she feels or the obstacles she has to endure, she continues to try and help others who are suffering. She doesn’t give up! This is the purpose of Ribbons of Aspirations.
With every piece of jewelry that is sold, 15% of the proceeds will be donated to foundations for these illnesses with the hope that one day a cure or at best a treatment will be found and maybe one day we will see the mom we once remembered.
Samantha
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(Shown Above)
SGT Justin Strawser, heavy equipment operator for the engineers of the US ARMY is deploying on his 2nd tour overseas to Afghanistan for 1 year on June 24, 2009. Prior deployment was for 16 months in Baqubah, Iraq.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Justin for a safe tour and to all the military who have served and are serving our country.
Love you Justin, Mom
Thank you Dr Bell!
I made it to my daughter's graduation! (June 27th 2009)
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© 2009 Ribbons of Aspirations - Hamburg, NY 14075
Website Development and Hosting provided by WNY Websites - Cheektowaga, NY - 716.668.5223 x 8180
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