I suffer from several chronic illnesses that slowly stole the life away from me. No longer does the energetic, fun loving, on the go, happy all the time, dependable woman exist that was in me 15+ years ago. Each day I struggle just to do daily tasks and take care of my youngest son who still lives at home (16 and has special needs). I rarely take care of myself anymore…it’s extremely exhausting and not worth it. I miss the days when I could just jump in the car and take the kids out for fun or go visit family or friends. It pains me when my daughter brings my granddaughter to visit and I can’t even take pictures with her because I haven’t taken a bath or combed my hair for days. No one knows or understands the pain, the exhaustion, the depression of everyday that I endure. The only reason I go on is because I love my kids more than life itself and the thought of hurting them in any way hurts me more than the pain I suffer daily.

My life began to change first when I was diagnosed with depression at age 20. At age 23 I was in a horrible car accident and later diagnosed with PTSD. Eventually in 2003 and after years of back, neck, arm, and hand pain I also had began having body aches, extreme fatigue and overall feeling of not well….i was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia!

Since then I’ve been diagnosed with Cervical Spondylosis, Carpel Tunnel Syndrome, Migraines with Aura, Osteoarthritis and in 2014 Narcolepsy!!!

I tried to continue working but could not, I am now filing for disability. This is not where I want to be!