Help Me Afford Life-Changing Medical Care and Medical Necessities
Hi, my name is Lena, and I’m raising funds to continue essential medical treatment and Necessities that I urgently need.
I was born disabled, but I’ve spent my life giving back and pushing through pain. I was active in 4-H, Girl Scouts, choir, Buddy Club, Go Green Club, pet therapy, learned ASL and worked in child care. I graduated high school with a 3.9 GPA, 13 honors cords, and multiple college-level courses. Music is one of my greatest passions — I even won first place in the soprano division my senior year and advanced to the state competition.
But shortly after graduation, everything changed. I developed agonizing stomach pain, seizures, allergic reactions, and joint instability. I had to leave my job and lost my housing. I was diagnosed with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), interstitial cystitis, chronic kidney stones, and a hip deformity, but none of that fully explained what I was going through.
After 21 years of pain and misdiagnosis, I finally found Dr. Erik Amotono at the Complex Autonomic Center — the only specialist on the West Coast who understands my condition. His office doesn’t accept insurance, but during my first $2,000 visit (paid with help from my parents), he diagnosed me with:
• MCAS (Mast Cell Activation Syndrome)
• hEDS (hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome)
• Long COVID
• Chronic Pain Syndrome
He also suspects I may have a rare neurological disorder called a channelopathy.
Now I urgently need help to continue seeing him. I’m trying to raise $1,500 to cover two more $600 visits and contribute toward the cost of Necessities so I can live with some comfort and independence.
My dream is still to recover and go back to school to become a choir teacher — to give back through music the way it once gave me life.
If you’re able to donate or share this, I am endlessly grateful. Every dollar helps me keep going.
