Help Support Brianna’s New Life With POTS
Donation protected
Hi guys! Throughout my life, I have always had problems with being sick often, and I also have always had many allergies as well. We just thought I was just more prone to sicknesses because of genetics. Well, in September of 2021, my life began to turn upside down. I was teaching second grade at the time, and one day I began suddenly passing out. My heart rate skyrocketed, as did my blood pressure. My head was pounding, and my chest was hurting. We didn't know what was going on.
After that incident, the POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome) episodes and fainting spells began happening anywhere between 10-15 times daily. I had to get a shower chair to keep from falling down in the shower when I would pass out. I had to get a wheelchair just so I could get around in stores without being a fall risk. I also began getting other symptoms such as severe joint pain, muscle pain, and brief periods of temporary paralysis in my legs.
At first, most of my episodes occurred in the afternoon and at night, so I was able to continue teaching; However, I eventually began fainting all throughout the day. As you can imagine, this made standing in front of a room full of eight year olds very difficult and scary. I didn't want to worry them by fainting at the front of the classroom! I finally was able to find an amazing doctor who was able to diagnose these bizarre incidents as POTS. Through my doctor, I was able to get a team of doctors together to help me, including but not limited to, a cardiologist, a rheumatologist, a neurologist, and a POTS/Dysautonomia specialist in Birmingham, AL.
In January, I officially decided that I could no longer teach. I can no longer hold a physical job due to this disorder. I am now debating applying for disability. I have already had to get a handicapped placard for my car. I can no longer drive my car as I need to be able to go 6 months without fainting in order for it to be deemed safe again. I often have to use a walker to get around the house.
I am not one to like asking for handouts, but with all of these doctors' bills adding up, the trip to Birmingham coming up with two small kids, and with my not being able to work making us a single income family, I am turning to my friends and family to ask for help. I know many have struggles of their own, so if you can't afford to donate, please consider sharing my story with your own friends and family instead, or even just a simple prayer for us would go a long way. Thank you so so much from the bottoms of our hearts.
POTS stands for postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, a debilitating autonomic nervous system disorder that impacts over 3 million Americans, and millions of other people around the world. The peak age onset of POTS is age 14, but about half of individuals develop it in adulthood. Many people, including doctors, have never heard of POTS, so people with POTS experience an average diagnostic delay of over four years. There are no FDA-approved treatments for POTS, and many patients remain quite ill despite trying all of the medications and lifestyle changes currently offered. If you would like to learn more, please consider going to Dysautonomia International Thank you so much once again for all of the love and support. Matthew, Annabel (5), Arthur (3), and I love each and every one of you. Love, Brianna
After that incident, the POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome) episodes and fainting spells began happening anywhere between 10-15 times daily. I had to get a shower chair to keep from falling down in the shower when I would pass out. I had to get a wheelchair just so I could get around in stores without being a fall risk. I also began getting other symptoms such as severe joint pain, muscle pain, and brief periods of temporary paralysis in my legs.
At first, most of my episodes occurred in the afternoon and at night, so I was able to continue teaching; However, I eventually began fainting all throughout the day. As you can imagine, this made standing in front of a room full of eight year olds very difficult and scary. I didn't want to worry them by fainting at the front of the classroom! I finally was able to find an amazing doctor who was able to diagnose these bizarre incidents as POTS. Through my doctor, I was able to get a team of doctors together to help me, including but not limited to, a cardiologist, a rheumatologist, a neurologist, and a POTS/Dysautonomia specialist in Birmingham, AL.
In January, I officially decided that I could no longer teach. I can no longer hold a physical job due to this disorder. I am now debating applying for disability. I have already had to get a handicapped placard for my car. I can no longer drive my car as I need to be able to go 6 months without fainting in order for it to be deemed safe again. I often have to use a walker to get around the house.
I am not one to like asking for handouts, but with all of these doctors' bills adding up, the trip to Birmingham coming up with two small kids, and with my not being able to work making us a single income family, I am turning to my friends and family to ask for help. I know many have struggles of their own, so if you can't afford to donate, please consider sharing my story with your own friends and family instead, or even just a simple prayer for us would go a long way. Thank you so so much from the bottoms of our hearts.
POTS stands for postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, a debilitating autonomic nervous system disorder that impacts over 3 million Americans, and millions of other people around the world. The peak age onset of POTS is age 14, but about half of individuals develop it in adulthood. Many people, including doctors, have never heard of POTS, so people with POTS experience an average diagnostic delay of over four years. There are no FDA-approved treatments for POTS, and many patients remain quite ill despite trying all of the medications and lifestyle changes currently offered. If you would like to learn more, please consider going to Dysautonomia International Thank you so much once again for all of the love and support. Matthew, Annabel (5), Arthur (3), and I love each and every one of you. Love, Brianna
Co-organizers (2)
Brianna Robinson
Organizer
Watkinsville, GA
Matthew Robinson
Co-organizer