Help Richard recover from MOGAD

In late May, I began having trouble seeing out of my left eye. I went to the hospital and they weren't really able to do anything for me. I returned to work trying to work out a solution.

My symptoms began to worsen. I began having intense fatigue, sensitivity to temperature, sleeping 12+ hours, bladder, bowel, and sexual problems, and eventually my other eye went near totally blind. I called 911 and was sent to Harborview in the back of an ambulance.

At Harborview, I was given a battery of tests. Opthamological examination showed swelling of my optic nerves, which was confirmed by MRI. Another MRI showed a lesion on my spine. Blood tests showed the presence of an antibody against a protein - MOG - that is essential to maintenance of the nervous system.

MOG Antibody Disease is an autoimmune disease in the same class as multiple sclerosis. It's very rare affecting only about 1 in 1 million. It's what's known a demyelinating disease, meaning it prevents the myelin sheath that insulates nerves from repairing, causing inflammation throughout the nervous system. It primarily presents with optic neuritis and vision loss.

After this attack in late June I have relapsed twice. Treatment is possible and it is working, but it is a slow process for recovery. I have been out of work since my first relapse in late July. I was able to get short term disability but having been out of work for so long means that I'm not covered by that. So, I need to ask for help.

If you're able, anything you can give is helpful and is appreciated.