Alisha Bagshaw Brooks

Alisha Bagshaw is a bubbly and compassionate 23-year-old who is extremely passionate about mental health and disability advocacy. In early 2021 her life was turned on its head when she began going into anaphylactic shock randomly and consistently, being transported by ambulance to emergency 2-3+ times/week for three months, eventually resulting in a week's stay in the ICU and spending a month in the hospital. She was diagnosed with MCAS (mast-cell activation syndrome). Mast cells contribute to homeostasis in the immune system. They serve as a first line of defence against antigens entering the body due to their location in the skin and mucosa. Activation of mast cells results in the rapid generation of lipid-derived inflammatory mediators. For Alisha, the mast cells had gone "rogue" and started to overreact to just about everything most people take for granted - from changing temperatures, foods, smoke, aroma and intense emotions to name just a few. This condition has extremely debilitating effects on the body and has made it very difficult for her to participate in her normal life, including her ability to work and continue her education. Alisha and her husband’s world was completely changed as they had to adjust to living with this debilitating chronic illness and managing her various symptoms.

Alisha now also lives with comorbid conditions - POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia syndrome) and EDS (Ehlers-Danlos syndrome), which affect her ability to move and cause fainting spells and chronic pain. She now uses a walker when conditions require. With complex rare diseases, treatment isn’t a one-pill kind of fix. Currently, she is actively having to take over 20 prescriptive drugs in an attempt to stabilize the mast cells. She has had to undergo a multitude of treatments such as stem cell treatments, weekly IV infusions, monthly biologic drug injections, psychedelic psychotherapy for PTSD, painful prolotherapy injections into her neck, shoulders, chest and both knees, daily prescriptions and emergency use of Benadryl and EpiPens. While she has responded to these, specifically stem-cell treatment, the continued and prolonged exposure to triggers (and sadly through carelessness and negligence by others) has caused multiple anaphylactic reactions which have weakened her body even more so over time. This has led to her becoming extremely sick again over the last few months.

Alisha is incredibly loved by her friends and family who have been happy to help her and her husband to the best of their resources, but these expenses haven’t slowed down. Due to the current gap in the public health system to provide care and support for MCAS and these complex conditions, treatment must be privately funded, totalling over $100,000 annually. Her loved ones have started this GoFundMe to fund Alisha’s medical expenses, as her treatments are critical and urgent and specialized treatment is necessary for her to participate in daily life. She has been forced to limit/stop the amount of school and work she can do to stay functional, something that frustrates her greatly as there is nothing else she would rather do than work and continue to be successful in school. We ask for any little bit of help as treatments are necessary and there are some big treatments that we are working towards funding.

About Alisha

Since she was a child Alisha has always been known as someone bright, friendly, warm, and creative. She has known she has wanted to work with children and youth since she was a little girl. Her loving nature has always been obvious to those in her life, always being the first person to offer a helping hand or a compassionate ear. She loves music, crafting, being with her friends, and being an amazing dog mom to her Maltese poodle Steven.

Statements from loved ones:

“Growing up as the youngest of three, Alisha was always in a perpetual race to match the pace of her elder siblings. Despite the distances she found herself trailing, her spirit never waned.”

“This resilience has been the cornerstone of her character, steadfast through the trials that life has thrown her way. MCAS has brought her to the brink of death on multiple occasions and created many unexpected challenges in her early 20s, but Alisha’s spirit has remained unbroken.

More than her indomitable will, it’s Alisha’s kindness, generosity, and loyalty that stand out. Those fortunate enough to cross paths with her, be it friends, family, or the young individuals she’s mentored, have all been touched by her innate ability to uplift and make them feel valued and understood. Alisha possesses a remarkable gift for creating a space where everyone feels seen and accepted.”

“Indeed, Alisha’s presence has made an indelible impact, rendering the world significantly brighter and kinder.”

”Alisha is one of the most resilient and courageous people you will ever meet. She is a warrior and has a strong determination to contribute what she can to make the world a more peaceful, healing and loving space for everyone but with an emphasis on children and youth."

“ Alisha is like a Pied Piper to young children. They are attracted to her like a magnet. She is so wonderful with them and they love her.”

“Alisha is one of the most passionate, beautiful, dedicated, kind-hearted, soft and strong souls I have ever come across which can be noticed before even sharing words with her.”

“Alisha is the most Considerate, thoughtful, kind, and beautiful person I know. She is an advocate for all even when she is struggling herself. She is my best friend and I wouldn’t be who I am today without her.”

“The most gentle and thoughtful person to not just friends but to everyone she meets.”

“Alisha is one of the most empathetic people I know. She feels what you feel and what to support and help you in any way she can.”