GiveForward

For the past few months Michelle Brovitz has been fundraising on GiveForward.org for her multiple sclerosis (MS) treatment.  She is the epitome of the word “trooper.” She also happens to be one of our all-time favorite people here at GiveForward. She recently sent us the following story.  Check it out:

I was diagnosed with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis in Baltimore, while in grad school to become a Pathologists’ Assistant. As is so often the case, it has now converted to secondary progressive MS. I have been declining, slowly but steadily, since about 2000. I went from a “normally functioning” young adult to a cane, to, currently, a walker, with a wheelchair on hold in my kitchen for when I need it…  Also, as a result, I am no longer able to work.

For the last 15 years, I have been offered little hope for improvement. The best I was given has been to “slow the progression” of the disease. Over the past year, even that small hope has been denied me. I was told by two local (in Durham, NC) MS specialists, “there’s nothing I can do for you.” Well, if you know me at all, that’s not an acceptable option for me; I leave no stone unturned!

My sister is a master’s level RN working at Johns Hopkins hospital in Baltimore. She introduced me to an MS neurologist there who is not as conservative as my local docs. We discussed several treatments they’re using. One of these is non-pharmaceutical, using a special exercise “bike” and functional electric stimulation. This has been used in brain- and spinal cord-injured patients (including Christopher Reeve) with success. I figured, “what the heck?” and tried it. I was skeptical, and was told it could take 3 months to see any results.

Well, after my trial-run of one hour, the next day I woke up and had a slight improvement in walking and balance! It was the first time in 15 years that I’ve seen ANY improvement! Needless to say, I’m a little excited! Ongoing use is needed to maintain this improvement; within 2 days, I was back to my normal disability.

Unfortunately, this equipment is costly (about $15,000). I was looking for sites to help me to raise the funds needed to purchase this equipment, and that’s how I came across GiveForward. GiveForward is a website that allows individuals to set up a fundraiser online that is not necessarily affiliated with a designated charity.  One can raise money for anything one sees fit.

GiveForward has enabled me to collect almost $8000 to date, from friends, family and strangers who I’ve told about my plight.  I can’t say enough about the site.  It was EXACTLY what I was looking for. At the close of my fundraiser, I will have been raising funds for about 12 ½ weeks.  I’m already more than halfway to my goal, and every penny collected is one less I’ll have to contribute out of my own pocket.  I honestly don’t think I could have done it without GiveForward.