Help Elena adjust to her ‘new normal’
Donation protected
Over the past few months my life has changed beyond recognition.
I was admitted to hospital in June 2020 with some terrifying symptoms: frequent collapses, irregular heart rhythm, debilitating visual disturbances and digestive problems which caused me to lose a huge amount of weight very suddenly, leaving me unable to walk or even stand without help. I suddenly went from being an active, outgoing person - an artist, art technician at a secondary school in Plymouth and a church bell ringer… to losing my independence completely. I’ve been in hospital ever since and experienced weeks of intensive tests and trialling various treatments.
The working diagnosis is Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, a genetic connective tissue disorder which can cause multiple issues across the body from eyesight and joint stability which can worsen over time. I’ve also had several new diagnoses of Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, gastric problems, dyspepsia and a REM sleep disorder, while many of my other symptoms are still being investigated.
Whilst it has been reassuring to finally have some answers this has been a lot to process in such a short space of time. To make matters even more complicated, the strain of this crisis has led to the breakdown of a 10 year relationship with my partner which has shattered me and leaves me in an extremely precarious situation. I need your help to get me through the next few months.
I need to find funds to help me to keep my home and secure my financial stability following the loss of my partner and current loss of income. I want to get back on my feet as soon as possible, which will require intensive physiotherapy, specialist equipment, assistive technology, home adaptations, counselling to help deal with the emotional impact of adjusting to disability as well as the breakdown of a long-term relationship and specialist support from professionals who can provide the right care to get me through this. It is clear that in order to get this right, it’s going to be expensive.
I am extremely determined and strong willed. I’m a problem solver. More than anything I want to climb the spiral staircase to the bell ringing chamber and ring out the church bells again, return to support my fantastic students at Plymouth High School for Girls as their art technician, get back to my art projects and run my watercolour classes again. I know life will be different now and I’m ready for this new challenge. I just need your help to get started.
No donation is too small. I am so grateful for your kindness and support at this most difficult time of my life.
Please donate, please share with your friends, please help me to adjust to my ‘new normal’.
Here’s an idea of the ways that your donations would help me out:
£10 would help me to cover an hour of assistance with daily living, care or supervision (like personal assistance, cleaning, transport, preparing meals, collecting medication)
£25 would help me to buy things like mobility aids, assistive equipment or gear for muscle strengthening exercise as recommended by physiotherapists
£50 would pay for a session with a counsellor or specialist MSK Physio to help me adapt to and manage my disability
£75 would allow me to make adaptations at home (like installing additional railings, high visibility edging to steps or buy specialist assistive technology/software)
£150 would mean I could get custom orthopaedic footwear, specialist ring splints to protect my finger joints, or a weighted blanket to help improve my sleep and decrease anxiety
£500 would mean I could have a month’s financial security - all bills covered - and not have to worry about this so much!
Thank you so much.
Elena
I was admitted to hospital in June 2020 with some terrifying symptoms: frequent collapses, irregular heart rhythm, debilitating visual disturbances and digestive problems which caused me to lose a huge amount of weight very suddenly, leaving me unable to walk or even stand without help. I suddenly went from being an active, outgoing person - an artist, art technician at a secondary school in Plymouth and a church bell ringer… to losing my independence completely. I’ve been in hospital ever since and experienced weeks of intensive tests and trialling various treatments.
The working diagnosis is Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, a genetic connective tissue disorder which can cause multiple issues across the body from eyesight and joint stability which can worsen over time. I’ve also had several new diagnoses of Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, gastric problems, dyspepsia and a REM sleep disorder, while many of my other symptoms are still being investigated.
Whilst it has been reassuring to finally have some answers this has been a lot to process in such a short space of time. To make matters even more complicated, the strain of this crisis has led to the breakdown of a 10 year relationship with my partner which has shattered me and leaves me in an extremely precarious situation. I need your help to get me through the next few months.
I need to find funds to help me to keep my home and secure my financial stability following the loss of my partner and current loss of income. I want to get back on my feet as soon as possible, which will require intensive physiotherapy, specialist equipment, assistive technology, home adaptations, counselling to help deal with the emotional impact of adjusting to disability as well as the breakdown of a long-term relationship and specialist support from professionals who can provide the right care to get me through this. It is clear that in order to get this right, it’s going to be expensive.
I am extremely determined and strong willed. I’m a problem solver. More than anything I want to climb the spiral staircase to the bell ringing chamber and ring out the church bells again, return to support my fantastic students at Plymouth High School for Girls as their art technician, get back to my art projects and run my watercolour classes again. I know life will be different now and I’m ready for this new challenge. I just need your help to get started.
No donation is too small. I am so grateful for your kindness and support at this most difficult time of my life.
Please donate, please share with your friends, please help me to adjust to my ‘new normal’.
Here’s an idea of the ways that your donations would help me out:
£10 would help me to cover an hour of assistance with daily living, care or supervision (like personal assistance, cleaning, transport, preparing meals, collecting medication)
£25 would help me to buy things like mobility aids, assistive equipment or gear for muscle strengthening exercise as recommended by physiotherapists
£50 would pay for a session with a counsellor or specialist MSK Physio to help me adapt to and manage my disability
£75 would allow me to make adaptations at home (like installing additional railings, high visibility edging to steps or buy specialist assistive technology/software)
£150 would mean I could get custom orthopaedic footwear, specialist ring splints to protect my finger joints, or a weighted blanket to help improve my sleep and decrease anxiety
£500 would mean I could have a month’s financial security - all bills covered - and not have to worry about this so much!
Thank you so much.
Elena
Fundraising team (2)
Elena Brake
Organizer
England
Benjamin Brake
Team member