Healing Samira

Imagine being 17 and living every single day at a minimum of 6-8 pain level.

Imagine being an honor student, an avid volunteer, a kid who loved to learn new things like teaching herself to read and speak Korean, how to crochet and hang out with lots of friends. Samira has always been a thriving and happy child. She lit up any room when she walked in, always made you laugh, and loved experiencing new and exciting things. She had a great social life and was always there for anyone who needed help without question.

Now imagine all of that crashing down and being unable to do any of the awesome things teens should be doing because your every day is dictated by pain.

Samira's life has been severely impacted by debilitating headaches that have heightened her sensitivity to lights, sounds, and smells. Some days, even the slightest movement becomes unbearable. Social outings with friends are a thing of the past; most days, she struggles to leave her room, missing out on precious moments with her friends and family. Each morning, she summons all her strength to attend school, often unable to make it through the entire day. When she returns home, she retreats to her room, only getting relief while sleeping or under medical sedation—yet upon waking, the pain persists.

To ensure Samira can continue attending school, Roseline takes on the responsibility of managing her daily needs. Samira's ability to function without assistance has diminished significantly. Simple tasks like bending down can cause her to nearly faint due to a heart condition called POTS, worsening her headaches. Roseline prepares all her meals, brings them to her room, assists with personal grooming since Samira can't comb or wash her hair, and ensures the house is suitable for her by turning off lights and closing light-filtering blinds. Presently, Samira requires constant care and assistance to navigate through daily life.

Roseline has left no stone unturned in search of a diagnosis. Balancing her Ph.D. studies with multiple jobs, she tirelessly researches specialists and potential solutions for Samira. As a result, she has found the best neurologist in the Atlanta area who has thoroughly tried everything to figure out what is wrong and how to relieve her pain. They've consulted numerous specialists—cardiologists, endocrinologists, ENT experts, chiropractors, acupuncturists, TMJ specialists, ophthalmologists, psychiatrists, psychologists, and pain management professionals—all concurring that their neurologist is the best, and they wouldn't do anything differently than what he's done. Samira has tried and failed every medication made and not made specific to head pain. So far, nothing has worked. In fact, as time goes on, Samira’s health continues to decline.

Despite enduring these challenges, Samira exhibits remarkable resilience. With the compassion and empathy of her amazing teachers, she maintains a 4.0 GPA. S. Her dedication has led to acceptance into every college she applied to, accompanied by a multitude of scholarships, and she's even received a full-ride offer. However, due to her current inability to attend to her basic needs, the fear persists that without immediate help, she will not be able to accept any of these amazing opportunities.

Following a visit to Boston Children's Hospital, there is a glimmer of hope!

While they may never find a reason for these migraines, she was accepted into their intensive chronic pain clinic to help her learn how to live and function with the pain. Over the course of six weeks, she will meet with a team of skilled clinicians, including physicians, nurses, psychologists, and physical therapists dedicated to caring for children, adolescents, and young adults with chronic pain. It's important to clarify that the primary objective isn't to eliminate Samira's pain (this may never happen); rather, the focus is on empowering her with strategies to coexist with the pain, restoring her ability to function, care for herself, and rekindle the joy of living. The absence of this program could lead to further deterioration in her functionality.

Roseline, a single mother raising four children, has tirelessly worked to afford Samira's treatments while pursuing her PhD. Unfortunately, this year, she had to take a significant pay cut to balance the demands of completing her doctorate and caring for her children. Consequently, medical debts have accrued, and participating in this crucial program means sacrificing six weeks of income.

Despite her persistent efforts, Roseline finds herself in a situation where she cannot afford this crucial treatment without support. Not one to readily seek help, I have decided to do this on her behalf.

Samira has secured a spot in the program and must be in Boston by December 17th. To make this possible, Roseline needs financial support to cover several expenses:

Your contribution, no matter the amount, will significantly aid Samira in starting her journey toward healing. Please consider donating to support this family in their time of need.

Please, please consider donating what you can to help Samira start her healing journey.

Follow Samira's healing journey using this link facebook.com/HealingSamira.

Thank you