Life as a Zebra Foundation

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Life as a Zebra Foundation

We work to raise funds for research and to bring visibility to invisible illnesses. (zebranation.org) Our Mission is EAS-Z!

Life as a Zebra Foundation brings visibility to invisible illnesses! Education, Advocacy, & Support for Zebras! www.ZebraNation.org

Our Accomplishments:
• Raised over $120,000 for invisible illness awareness & research!

• Spearheaded the adoption of Michigan’s resolution for “Invisible Illness Awareness Week,” 4 years running.

• Met with various federal congressmen and senators to advocate for

a National Invisible Illness Awareness Day of Action!

• Host “Zebra Days” at local elementary schools to educate youth on the importance of patience & empathy. How Can YOU Help?

*Make a tax deductible donation to LAAZF

*Spread the word & raise invisible illness awareness in your community

*Sponsor or volunteer at a LAAZF event

*Advocate for invisible illness legislation in your community

05/02/2026

Happy, Happy May, Zebra Family!

This month’s spotlight is on Hillary Lee. Hillary is a wife, a mom of two, and a business owner who lives with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome).

Hillary explains, “A little compassion can go a long way. Sometimes asking for help can make us feel like a burden, but the truth is, we are never a burden to the people who truly love us. Just because I may look perfectly fine most days doesn’t mean I’m not struggling.”

Click the link to read more about Hillary’s journey thus far, and how she lives her life with multiple invisible illnesses.

https://zebranation.org/zebra-spotlight/may-2026-zebra-spotlight-hillary-lee-may/

***Are you living your life as a zebra? We want to hear YOUR story! If you are interested in being featured in one of our monthly zebra spotlights, please email us at: [email protected]

May 2026 Zebra Spotlight: Hillary Lee W A May 1, 2026Zebra Spotlight My name is Hillary Lee. I’m a wife, a mom of two, and a business owner. I was first diagnosed at the age of 13, and over the years my journey has expanded to include Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and POTS (...

04/03/2026

Good April Afternoon, Zebra Family!

This month’s spotlight is on Lisa Gigliotti. Lisa has achieved successful careers as an administrative law judge, a policy advisor for the Michigan state senate and governor, an advocate for people with disabilities and for improving end-of-life care, and is
dedicated to helping others lead more fulfilling lives. Lisa is also an author and speaker and has written four books. Lisa lives each day with myasthenia gravis, rheumatoid arthritis…and Coraggio (courage)!

Lisa states: “I re-prioritize what is truly important in my life each day. Every day I start a new tally of the energy conservation I need to accomplish for what I prioritized. I time my rest and medication to be optimal at the most needed time of each day. I had to change the past desire to be everything to everyone, to not disappoint anyone, and to be close to perfect. I believe in me, pay attention to me, trust in me.”

Click the link to read more about Lisa’s journey thus far, and how she lives her life with myasthenia gravis and rheumatoid arthritis.

https://zebranation.org/blogs/april-2026-zebra-spotlight-lisa-gigliotti/

***Are you living your life as a zebra? We want to hear YOUR story! If you are interested in being featured in one of our monthly zebra spotlights, please email us at: [email protected]

April 2026 Zebra Spotlight: Lisa Gigliotti W A April 1, 2026Blogs Ciao from Lisa Gigliotti! I received my initiation into the zebra herd via the neuromuscular disease myasthenia gravis. In undergrad I had been diagnosed with a serious case of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) made obvious by red swollen joi...

03/01/2026

Good Morning and Happy March, Zebra Family!

This month’s spotlight is on Scotty Besemer-a former regional manager for a trucking company out of Wisconsin, a man of many trades, and a husband, father, and grandfather.

Scott lives with chronic abdominal pain along with diabetes and many other comorbidities from almost not surviving having acute necrotizing pancreatitis.

Scott wants people to know: “Just because someone isn’t crying doesn’t mean they aren’t in pain. Just because someone looks fine doesn’t mean they are fine. And if I ask for help, I truly need it.”

Click the link to read more about Scott’s journey thus far, and how he lives his life with multiple invisible illnesses.

https://zebranation.org/zebra-spotlight/march-2026-zebra-spotlight-scott-besemer/

***Are you living your life as a zebra? We want to hear YOUR story! If you are interested in being featured in one of our monthly zebra spotlights, please email us at: [email protected]

March 2026 Zebra Spotlight: Scott Besemer W A March 1, 2026Zebra Spotlight My name is Scott Besemer. I was born in 1968 and grew up in Holland, Michigan. After my freshman year of high school, my family moved to Spring Lake, where I graduated. After high school, I didn’t really know what I wanted ...

02/02/2026

Hello and Happy February, Zebra Family!

This month’s spotlight is on Lori Newcomb-a stay-at-home Mama to a very busy three-year-old. Lori lives each day with many invisible illnesses including Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS), Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome type 3 (EDS), and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS).

Lori wants people to know: “I do not ever give up! I continue fighting for answers, and I maintain the attitude that I will get better. I also hang on tight to my faith that God will provide a way for me to improve enough to be part of society again and return to some form of “normal.” I still cannot work or drive, but I still manage to do the activities that I enjoy doing with my daughter. Being a stay-at-home Mom is the best job in the world.”

https://zebranation.org/zebra-spotlight/february-2026-zebra-spotlight-lori-newcomb/

Click the link to read more about Lori’s journey thus far, and how she lives her life with multiple invisible illnesses.

***Are you living your life as a zebra? We want to hear YOUR story! If you are interested in being featured in one of our monthly zebra spotlights, please email us at: [email protected]

February 2026 Zebra Spotlight: Lori Newcomb W A February 1, 2026Zebra Spotlight I am Lori Newcomb, a mother of a very busy three-year-old. Shortly after I turned thirty, I moved to a colder climate, which triggered many symptoms and issues in my body that were out of my control. This led to me visit...

01/03/2026

Good Evening and Happy New Year, Zebra family! This spotlight is a special one, highlighting one of our own! Meet Dr. Breanna O’Keefe, one of our very valuable board members. Dr. O’Keefe lives her life with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and Lupus, and does so with grace, humor, endless determination, and an unwillingness to let it control her life.

In Dr. O’Keefe’s words: “Illness does not define you. Accept what you cannot change, fight to manage what you can, and celebrate every victory—especially the small ones. Those moments matter more than you know.”

Click the link to read more about Dr. O’Keefe’s journey thus far, and how she lives her life with invisible illnesses.

https://zebranation.org/zebra-spotlight/january-2026-zebra-spotlight-breanna-okeefe/

***Are you living your life as a zebra? We want to hear YOUR story! If you are interested in being featured in one of our monthly zebra spotlights, please email us at: [email protected]

January 2026 Zebra Spotlight: LAAZF Board Member, Dr. Breanna O’Keefe Corrine Soave January 1, 2026Zebra Spotlight Hello! I’m Breanna O’Keefe, but most people call me Bre. I wear many hats—mom of six, wife, physician, coach, teammate, and board member for both Life as a Zebra and the Univers...

12/03/2025

Good Afternoon, Zebra Family!

This month’s spotlight is on Kassady. Kassady lives each day with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome – hypermobile type, Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, Gastroparesis, Bronchiectasis, Hypogammaglobulinema, Mast Cell Activation Syndrome, ADHD, and C-PTSD. Kassady is the founder of both Medically Me and EDS Ohio, Inc, and is also the president of EDS, Inc. Kassady has a passion for sharing her story with others, and providing advocacy, education and support for folks with EDS and other comorbidities. Kassady loves to read/listen to audiobooks, listen to, write, and perform music, and loves to bird watch on her property.

Click the link to read more about Kassady’s journey thus far, and how she lives her life with multiple invisible illnesses.

https://zebranation.org/zebra-spotlight/december-2025-zebra-spotlight-kassady-oberacker-bailey/

***Are you living your life as a zebra? We want to hear YOUR story! If you are interested in being featured in one of our monthly zebra spotlights, please email us at: [email protected]

December 2025 Zebra Spotlight: Kassady Oberacker-Bailey Kyle Schebor December 3, 2025Zebra Spotlight My name is Kassady Oberacker-Bailey. The diagnoses that affect me the most are Ehlers Danlos Syndrome – hypermobile type, Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, Bronchiectasis, Hypogammaglobuli...

11/03/2025

Good Morning, Zebra Family!

This month’s spotlight is on Lisa McNerney-a Mom, wife, and hair stylist. Lisa lives each day with Multiple Sclerosis. Lisa explains, “I am not lazy. I am actually the opposite. It takes a lot of work to be me. I don’t know what it feels like to be ‘normal.’ I take pride in how hard I work to keep up as best as I can. I often remind myself I am a bada** because I am.”

https://zebranation.org/zebra-spotlight/november-2025-zebra-spotlight-lisa-mcnerney/

Click the link to read more about Lisa’s journey thus far, and how she lives her life with Multiple Sclerosis.

***Are you living your life as a zebra? We want to hear YOUR story! If you are interested in being featured in one of our monthly zebra spotlights, please email us at: [email protected]

November 2025 Zebra Spotlight: Lisa McNerney Ashley Davis November 1, 2025Zebra Spotlight I am Lisa McNerney. I am a mom to two kids, and they are my number one job. My youngest is special needs and I spend a lot of time advocating for him. My oldest has ADHD and I have worked hard to teach her to a...

10/02/2025

Happy October, Zebra Family!

This month’s spotlight is on Audrey—a Michigan photographer and business owner. Audrey lives with Vestibular Migraine, a neurological disease that causes vertigo as well as many other symptoms.

In Audrey’s words, “It is true that you don’t know what another person is going through mentally, physically or spiritually. It costs nothing to show empathy or compassion. Be the light you need in the world and always be kind!”

Click the link to read more about Audrey’s journey thus far, and how she lives her life with this invisible illness.

https://zebranation.org/zebra-spotlight/october-2025-zebra-spotlight-audrey-jaskolski/

***Are you living your life as a zebra? We want to hear YOUR story! If you are interested in being featured in one of our monthly zebra spotlights, please email us at: [email protected]

October 2025 Zebra Spotlight: Audrey Jaskolski Ashley Davis October 1, 2025Zebra Spotlight Hi, my name is Audrey. I am a photographer and business owner in Northville, Michigan. I have been diagnosed with Vestibular Migraine, which is a neurological disease that causes vertigo. Most think of “head...

09/02/2025

Happy September & Labor Day, Zebra Family!

This month’s spotlight is on Casey-a therapist, a Lions fan, and a fiancé! Casey lives with POTS, chronic migraines, and Erythromelalgia. One of Casey’s favorite quotes is: “Accessibility isn’t an invitation for your opinion.” Click the link to read more about Casey’s journey thus far, and how she lives her life with invisible illnesses.

https://zebranation.org/zebra-spotlight/september-2025-zebra-spotlight-casey/

***Are you living your life as a zebra? We want to hear YOUR story! If you are interested in being featured in one of our monthly zebra spotlights, please email us at: [email protected]

September 2025 Zebra Spotlight: Casey Ashley Davis September 1, 2025Zebra Spotlight Hi! My name is Casey. I’m a therapist, a Lions fan, and a fiancé! After years of chronic migraines throughout high school, we finally found the root cause right before I went to college—POTS. Once I discovered m...

08/01/2025

Good Morning and Happy August, Zebra family!

This month’s spotlight is on ILana Lombardi, a mom, licensed esthetician, and small business owner who is living with Chiari malformation, collagenous colitis, gastroparesis, fibromyalgia, and POTS. In ILana’s words, “Having invisible illnesses doesn’t mean I gave up on my aspirations— it means I had to fight harder for them.”

Click the link to read more about ILana’s journey thus far, and how she lives her life with several invisible illnesses.

https://zebranation.org/zebra-spotlight/august-2025-zebra-spotlight-ilana-lombardi/

***Are you living your life as a zebra? We want to hear YOUR story! If you are interested in being featured in one of our monthly zebra spotlights, please email us at: [email protected]

August 2025 Zebra Spotlight: Ilana Lombardi Ashley Davis August 1, 2025Zebra Spotlight Hi, I’m Ilana — a mom, licensed esthetician, and small business owner. By day, I’m helping clients glow from the outside in, and by… well, every other moment, I’m managing life with a handful of invisibl...

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Lansing, MI

Website

http://www.ZebraNation.org/

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