Support Jennifer’s journey to The Spero Clinic!

My name is Jennifer Elizabeth.. I am here to share my battle with chronic illness, which has manifested as a severe neurological disease called DYSAUTONOMIA. Over the past three years, my respiratory system has been severely impacted and I can no longer breathe properly without the use of STEROIDS. I am currently undergoing testing to be fitted with NON INVASIVE VENTILATION, to help me breathe.

https://www.physio-pedia.com/Non_Invasive_Ventilation

“Dysautonomia is an umbrella term used to describe several different medical conditions that cause a malfunction of the Autonomic Nervous System. The Autonomic Nervous System controls the "automatic" functions of the body that we do not consciously think about, such as heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, breathing , pupil dilation and constriction of the pupils of the eye, kidney function, and temperature control. People living with various forms of dysautonomia have trouble regulating these systems, which can result in lightheadedness, fainting, unstable blood pressure, abnormal heart rates, malnutrition, and in severe cases, death.”

*Dysautonomia International

At this point, I have exhausted ALL Western medicine protocols…

It is my wish to raise enough money to receive treatment at the world -renowned Spero Clinic in Fayetteville, Arkansas… A Neurological Relief Center that can reverse severe cases of treatment RESISTANT Dysautonomia. The Spero Clinic has an 84% success rate in treating all sorts of neurological diseases!

My story…

*I have included links to further explain the preceding diagnosis’..I invite you to click and ✅ them out.

My history with chronic illness dates far back to my childhood..I struggled with headaches, gastrointestinal issues, insomnia and high white blood cell counts , regularly , starting at 9 years old.

Despite these challenges, I was able to thrive as a gymnast/dancer. I have an extremely competitive nature and enjoy anything sports! Who knows, I still may hold the record for doing 74 sit ups in one minute in the sixth grade!☝️☺️

Right after graduating high school, at 18 years old ,I contracted Epstein-Barr virus . My doctors say EBV kicked off a chronic inflammatory response in my body. Shortly after the infection, I was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). I was bedbound for 1 year with debilitating exhaustion and muscle weakness. Trying to navigate the transition from high school to young adulthood was extremely difficult.

In my 20s, i was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia…

Leaving me with wide spread body pain, and increased symptoms of insomnia, digestive issues, exhaustion.

Shortly after the birth of my son ❤️❤️in 2008 , I was diagnosed with Central Sleep Apnea. CSA is a condition of the brain/central nervous system…where your brain forgets to signal your body to breathe, when you are trying to sleep..so you are constantly stopping, and starting breathing all night long . Never feeling rested and scared to go to sleep. CSA has severely impacted my daily productivity. Not ONE treatment protocol has helped my symptoms.

As time went on, I started developing severe medication reactions, migraines, food sensitivity, noise ,sound and light sensitivity, visual disturbances, multiple chemical sensitivity (mcs). I started having episodes where I would start shaking, my blood pressure would spike then drop, I would fall to the floor. The ambulance was called at least once a week. Not counting endless ER visits. My physical and mental health were spiraling.

My early 40 s I was finally diagnosed with POTs, a disease of the autonomic nervous system. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16560-postural-orthostatic-tachycardia-syndrome-pots

I became disabled in 2016. The decline became much more significant. I could no longer exercise. Exercise/dance was one of the most valued parts of my daily life and without it, the ripple effect was becoming hard to stop. Anxiety , depression, loss, and worsening of physical symptoms.

I started to do lots of research and become extremely aware of my condition. I learned that this neurological condition meant that my brain was stuck in fight and flight, my nervous system was in extreme distress . So, I changed my diet, I began supplementing, juicing, doing brain retraining, meditation, acupuncture, massage, physical therapy, functional neurology practices. I started receiving IV drips of vitamin c, glutathione. Some of these methods helped for a little while, but no lasting results. And of course financial drain was setting in.

In March 2021, my life changed forever. One morning I woke up gasping for air, feeling pressure in my chest. A feeling of sucking in sand instead of air. I couldn’t breathe normally anymore. My muscles and all of my body became severely weakened. I started having trouble walking, which eventually led me into a wheelchair. .. Yes a fu*^ing WHEELCHAIR ♿️.. I feel

as if cinder blocks are tied to my arms and legs . I started experiencing tremors sporadically throughout the day and night while I’m trying to sleep...Neuropathy flooded my body, with stabbing, burning sensations. Choking sensations, squeezing in my lungs and chest. SEVERE heat intolerance, where I can’t even go out in the sun/heat for more than a few minutes or I will collapse. Sounds like a Sci-fi movie? I know..

My reactions to medications are off the charts. Too much to explain ..

I have been COMPLETELY house/bed bound for the past year.

After waiting a year to get into see a specialist in Boston, more diagnosis’ pile up…testing results show as follows:

To worsen the situation, I contracted COVID-19 in December 2023. The decline ..now, long Covid..This is a disaster.

As of now, I have been STEROID dependent for 1 year , due to breathing/respiratory weakness. Prednisone is the only drug my body responds to. Steroids wreak havoc on your body systems with long term use. .. ADRENALS shut down, cataracts, bone density issues, ulcers, diabetes.

As of 2023 , I was put on LTSS(long-term support services) with a full time care giver.

I can’t even believe this is my life..

The isolation is BRUTAL. Not being able to enjoy simple life pleasures like taking a walk, sitting in the sun, driving , going to see friends , attending holidays , playing with my dog, going to MY Son’s sporting events, BEING a MOM to my Boy..there are NO words to describe the grief im experiencing, none.

I am scared and exhausted…

Is there ANY help for a condition like mine? Yes, there is. All of these symptoms are due to an imbalance in my Autonomic Nervous System. This has all been proven by my testing in Boston. This doesn’t have to be the end of my story…

The Spero Clinic offers a 14 -16 (could be more or less depending on the person) week non invasive program ( no medications or surgery) ,specializing in innovative approaches to rebalance the Central Nervous System/ Autonomic Nervous System. Modalities such as NMR-neuromuscular reeducation ,Cereset for brain balancing, oxygen therapy, magnetic resonance therapy, lymphatic drainage, Vegus nerve stimulation, and much more.

https://youtu.be/UOHSFD1I528?si=LzzNoiYvbBjon2oU

Through connections with former patients of Spero, who have had promising results, I believe this is the place for me to receive my own healing as well. Although ,the cost of treatments are substantial and beyond mine and my family’s means to cover it.

ALL proceeds will be going directly towards treatment, living accommodations in Arkansas and travel expenses. I will have to relocate to Arkansas for the time of treatment.

EVERY donation will make a significant impact on my journey towards recovery. Your support will not only alleviate the financial burden on my family but will also RESTORE Hope and STRENGTH to me and my loved ones.

https://www.thesperoclinic.com/?utm_source=googlemybusiness&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=Google+My+Business

Stay tuned, my family and friends are going to be helping me fund raise to reach my goal. We are going to be doing fun stuff such as bingos, comedy nights, car washes, etc. Whatever it takes to get me to Spero!

** Coming soon, I will be adding a tax deductible donation link through The Burning Limb Foundation. It is a 501 c 3 registered nonprofit organization. BLF is affiliated with The Spero Clinic, so all donations made through them are directly applied towards treatment at Spero.

Please keep in mind, this is the hardest thing I have EVER had to do…I have been very private about my condition until now.

Take nothing for granted, life is precious but short.

Thank you everyone for holding space for me here! ❤️ Jennifer

“If you can't fly then run, if you can't run then walk, if you can't walk then crawl, but whatever you do keep moving forward." – Martin Luther King