03/19/2024
Please read it all...it is long but means a lot if you could at least acknowledge that you read this post....
Over the course of several years I dedicated much of my time, money, efforts, and life to those in the Lupus community, both at home and abroad. Speaking to anyone who would listen, and to many that would not, about the need for assistance for this underserved population. I have been criticized, ridiculed, lifted up, and torn down by many. It was heartbreak to pour much of my efforts into this cause and give so much to have to remove myself from advocacy. While I will always have love, respect, and admiration for those that live with this terrible disease I am unable to continue my efforts.
With all of that being said, and while it seems all doom and gloom there are a few that have always been kind, caring, understanding, and supportive of what I was doing. You know who you are and I appreciate you all to the fullest.
And while I wish I was in the same place and had the same abilities that I once did to support this community, I now find myself reaching out to assist my sister-in-law, the one that started me down my road of advocacy, the one that I started this all for. She has struggled with Lupus for years and was doing well and managing with the assistance of medication. She has now taken a turn for the worse and is struggling to find assistance and medication in a country with limited resources, the Dominican Republic where the average income is roughly $830 per month. The cost of her medication exceeds her monthly income and without it we fear the worse.
My sister-in-law is a young mother of two amazing children and the wife to an amazingly supportive and kind man. She is strong, caring, kind, and compassionate, a lover of family and life. A counselor at a rural school in the Dominican Republic, she devotes her time and efforts to helping children and has raised two amazing children who are equally as kind, caring, compassionate, and strong.
My hope through this post is that someone is able to assist her in finding the medication she needs at a low cost, something that is affordable and sustainable (not asking for anything for free). It pains me to have to reach out like this and ask for help but God tells us in Luke 11:9-10, "And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh finds; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened." And while this is dedicated to those seeking God in their life, I believe this verse opens doors for us all to ask, seek, and knock..to God first, and to Godly people. If you can find it in your heart to help in some way, be it introductions to others, referrals, etc, we appreciate all the help you are willing to provide. Even a prayer below would be helpful in so many ways to lift her spirits.
The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.
