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Manifesting Mobilization Freedom for Erica B

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Dearest friends and family ~  Thank you, for taking the time to read about my health journey and hearing my humble request for financial assistance. The latter half of the past decade presented many physical, emotional and spiritual hurdles.  I am an open hearted and giving person. Asking for help has been a true lesson in growth for me, realizing the balance is a gift.  

I am hoping to raise $5000 by my upcoming 50th birthday on March 18th, 2020, so that I can truly live an ACTIVE lifestyle aligned with my true spirit!

HOW YOUR FUNDS WILL HELP MOBILIZE MY FREEDOM & JOY
Your gracious assistance will aid in alleviating the current challenges I experience navigating daily activities, while providing the gift of mobility freedom and an increased quality of life!

The funds raised will be used to purchase the Travelscoot Deluxe, motorized mobility scooter. https://shop.travelscoot.com/us/scooters/travelscoot-deluxe.html

This particular scooter is the perfect solution, as it is lightweight, only 35 lbs., it can fold up and be placed in the trunk or back seat of my car, checked at the airline gate with ease. I have attempted to get the Travelscoot covered by my health insurance to no avail.  Monies raised above the total cost of the scooter and accessories($3704), will go towards helping pay off medical expenses/debt incurred for all of the injections, surgeries, complementary care and medical devices. 

MY STORY

Late 1990's-2013- Having been diagnosed with multiple autoimmune dis-eases: endometriosis, fibromyalgia, hypothyroidism, Immunoglobulin A & G deficiencies, and celiacs, proved to be its own challenge.  Searching for medical understanding, diagnosis, acknowledgment and support and having to become my own health advocate warrior has been a journey of it's own.  Searching out what is coined 'complimentary medicine', has truly helped me find solutions, even through the most painful flare ups, acute and chronic illnesses.  Sadly, most of these modalities are out of pocket expenses.  I have found that these have been the most helpful modalities for my healing:  Acupuncture, Chinese Herbs, Osteopath, Functional Medicine Doctors, Integrative Primary Care and Pain Management Doctors, Nutritionists, Cranial Sacral, Chiropractic, Massage, MET, Somatic Clearing, EMDR, Sound Healing, Reiki, Divination and Prayer, with which has propelled me to greater overall healing benefits than what just western medicine would provide alone.  The bridge between Eastern and Western medicine is vital to whole person care, treatment and triumphs.

In 2014, while working at a winery, I developed chronic plantar fasciitis, with tears in the fascia and tarsal tunnel syndrome.  Following Doctor's recommendation, I continued with physical therapy, kinesiology taping, bracing, and cortisone injections.  This treatment plan continued into 2015.  During this timeframe, my Mother passed away suddenly.   This was a devastating loss for me and all  of our family.  I struggled with deep grief, depression and anxiety.   Missing my Mom, struggling with my health issues, I was experiencing a deep sadness and dark time in my life.  I am thankful for an old and dear friend's loving encouragement to seek out my wonderful therapist, who has provided me with the tools to manage these feelings, helping me to find and strengthen my path to self love and healing.   A few months later,  I lost my job due to my inability to stand or walk for long periods of time, which was a requirement of my job.  This was also a big loss, not knowing how I could provide for myself financially, still grieving and in pain, concerned on how I was to continue living in the beautiful community I love so much.  Stress is a trigger for my Fibromyalgia, as well as my anxiety.  The loving support of my family and friends helped me to accept the recommendation of foot surgery,  to help release 1/3 of my plantar fascia and make more room for my tarsal tunnel nerve, hoping to relieve the debilitating nerve pain in my feet and legs.  The healing process for me was about 3 years; it was the most excruciating surgery and recovery process I have ever experienced.  Still leaving my left foot with pain, after the 3 years of healing it was better than when I started this journey but not fully 'fixed'.  My right foot also experienced the plantar fasciitis, since 2014, but wasn't as bad as the left at the time.  I continued to work on my health and wellness plan, adjusting to my physical limitations but still striving to get back to my 'normal' active self.  I worked hard at recalibrating and adjusting to my newest found physical challenges. I was blessed to find a wonderful new job in 2016 working for an environmental non-profit, expanding my career tools, going to the local Junior College, adding accounting and bookkeeping to my prior BA in Psychology.
In July of 2018,  I fell and broke my right arm (radial head fracture), which also damaged my shoulder (rotator cuff) and my Cervical Spine Discs 4 & 5, with the discs pressing on my spinal cord, leaving my arms and hands to go numb, leaving me with the inability to have full range of motion in my neck without horrible pain.  My broken arm healed well, but my neck pain persisted; there was a suggestion of fusing my cervical discs as a solution, which after the foot surgery and the hell I experienced, my response was a firm NO!  I was able to find some relief through a fantastic pain management Doctor who provided 3 epidurals in  my neck throughout 2019.  During this time, my right foot was presenting with the same patterns of pain as my left foot did in 2014/15, tears in the fascia.  I continued with all alternative therapies I could find to heal my right foot, injections, hot laser, cold laser, PT, Pilates.  Additionally, to my surprise, after continued work on mobilization and increasing my activity, while managing my disabilities, it was discovered that I had an inguinal hernia, which was surgically repaired on December 23rd 2019.  Mobility issues continue to challenge me, but my strong will to heal and embrace positivity persists!
GRATITUDE
It has been a long journey the past 5 years, I am grateful for my life, my family, dear friends and community, without whom I couldn't have made it this far.  I am forever grateful for all the love, strength and compassion that has been shared!

In 2020 I am embracing the world, finding my pure hearted joy again, being able to say YES unequivocally when asked to participate in going to a museum, botanical garden, music concert, travel opportunity, yes to enjoying these beloved family and friends, being able to participate in fun activities, not worrying how am I going to get around, is there handicapped parking, I can't walk or stand for long, feeling left out, or sad because I can't physically participate in the world as I used to.  

I am embracing my joyous adventurous heart, and desire to be rooted in connectivity with my loved ones, by being able to say YES to all adventures, without the stress and anxiety on top of my physical challenges.  

Your donations will help me realize this dream as a reality! Thank you for taking the time to listen to my journey, witnessing my vulnerability and struggles and my resolve to embrace the joy for life! 

In deepest gratitude, 
Erica B
xoxoxoxo
~Only in my pain, did I find my will, Only in my chaos, did I learn to be still, Only in my fear, did I find my will, Only in my darkness, did I see my light~
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Donations 

  • Emilie Laik
    • $50
    • 5 yrs
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Organizer

Erica Buonassisi
Organizer
Sebastopol, CA

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