Help Liz Persaud Fight Cancer

Dear friends,

Our dear friend Liz recently received the heartbreaking news that she will once again have to face the challenge of cancer. Liz has always been open about her journey, but this time is uniquely challenging.

Living with Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type II (SMA) as Liz does, requires careful consideration and planning. After thorough evaluation, her doctor recommended surgical removal, and further treatment would depend on the margins. It was a terrifying period, but thankfully, she triumphed, and we celebrated the positive results!

However, that was exactly one year ago.

Recent symptoms prompted Liz to return to the doctors for additional testing, and unfortunately, cancer has returned. After consultations with multiple physicians, it was determined that Liz will need chemotherapy and radiation this time.

So, why am I sharing this with you?

To know Liz is to instantly adore her! I first met her nine years ago when she delivered a keynote speech at my professional OT conference. She spoke about living, working and playing with a disability, and it left me awestruck. In all my career, Liz embodied what OT meant to me. After that conference, I was fortunate to work alongside her for nine incredible years until her retirement last December. We’ve shared remarkable experiences, and she’s not only been a professional mentor but also one of my dearest friends.

If you Google her name (Liz Persaud) you’ll find numerous video presentations, podcasts, articles and evidence of her pioneering work in accommodations for people with disabilities (long before COVID made it a prominent issue). For over 21 years, as a professional Assistive Technology Outreach educator and manager, Liz has advocated for countless individuals with diverse disabilities while also living her best life, attending concerts and embarking on adventures.

Now, Liz needs additional help and support.

Liz’s husband, Ben, is her primary caregiver, tending to her daily needs 24/7. His dedication to ensuring Liz’s well-being is unwavering. However, managing their daily needs alongside the upcoming treatments will add more stress. Frequent hospital visits for Liz’s treatments create concerns about sustainability.

So, how can you help?

There are many ways to support Liz and Ben. Please DONATE, and visit her website below to learn more about Liz, and how you can help: Resilient Liz

It would mean so much to me, if you would consider making a donation or offering any other way you would like to help to support them and ease their already stressful situation and hopefully lead to another positive outcome.

We will keep you updated as best we can here with additional posts. Feel free to share this post, her link (https://www.resilientliz.com/) or any ideas you have on how to assist Liz and Ben during this challenging time.

Thank you for your kindness and support.

With appreciation,

Rachel and David Wilson