Hi, my name is Nancy Crowder, and I’m here to share the story of my amazing daughter, Caitlyn Crowder, who is facing a life-changing medical diagnosis with courage and grace. Just recently, she was diagnosed with Stage 2 Lipedema, a chronic and progressive condition that affects the fat cells in her body, particularly in her legs and arms. It causes painful swelling, tenderness, bruising, and restricted mobility. What makes this even more heartbreaking is how deeply it has impacted every part of her life—especially the part she loves most.
Caitlyn has always been passionate about health and wellness. She’s a certified personal trainer, dedicating her life to helping others become stronger, healthier, and more confident. She’s the kind of person who lights up the gym with her energy, and whose encouragement inspires her clients to push past their limits. Fitness isn’t just a job for her—it’s her identity, her purpose, and her joy.
But since the onset of Lipedema symptoms, everything has changed. Despite her active lifestyle, she began experiencing severe pain, swelling, and a loss of mobility in her legs. The physical discomfort makes everyday activities—like walking, standing for long periods, or even getting through a workout—extremely difficult. Worse still, Lipedema is often misunderstood or misdiagnosed, and it doesn’t respond to traditional weight loss or exercise. This means that despite all her efforts to stay healthy, her body is working against her in ways that are beyond her control.
As a mother, watching her struggle through something so painful—both physically and emotionally—has been devastating. She’s worked so hard to build a life focused on movement and strength, and now she faces a condition that threatens to take that away from her. But we’re not giving up.
Unfortunately, the treatments she needs are not covered by insurance. These include ongoing medical care, specialized compression garments, manual lymphatic drainage therapy, and potentially liposuction surgery performed by experts trained in Lipedema treatment—not for cosmetic reasons, but to stop the progression of the disease and relieve her pain.
We are hoping to raise $20,000 to help cover these vital medical expenses. Every dollar will go directly toward giving her the chance to live without chronic pain and keep doing what she loves: helping others feel strong in their bodies.
If you know Caitlyn, you know she is strong, selfless, and deeply passionate about making a difference. This time, she needs others to lift her up. Your support—whether through a donation or simply sharing this page—means more than words can say.
Thank you for reading her story, for believing in her, and for helping us fight this battle together.
With love and gratitude,
Nancy
