Hi, my name is Danielle and I would like to tell you about my amazing sister. Her name is Lauren, but some of you may know her as IneffaBelle or Novel Patient. She has several severe autoimmune diseases including Sjogren’s Syndrome with neurological involvement, autoimmune pancreatitis, autoimmune hepatitis, and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. She spends most of her time in bed and is completely dependent on a wheelchair for her mobility due to her severe chronic pain. She requires nearly 24 hour assistance from a caregiver. In addition, she spent 5 months of the last year in the hospital.

Despite all this, Lauren is always the first person to lend a hand. She proofread every one of my college papers. She is always there for her friends when they need to talk.  She writes a blog called Novel Patient about her experience with chronic illness that inspires others and runs a free blogging site for other patients with chronic illness to give them all a space to be heard. Lauren is truly such an amazing person and I am so proud of her!

Lauren's current wheelchair was never meant to be more than a temporary way for Lauren to get around and consequently causes her extra pain when she sits in it.  This pain limits her ability to be up and about, but Lauren is finally getting a new wheelchair that is specially designed for her to reduce her pain.  She will be able to be up in it longer which will give her back the freedom to participate in her life more.

But this new wheelchair can only be transported in a wheelchair accessible vehicle which our family cannot afford.  Our mom, who supports Lauren financially, was laid off from her job in June. They were barely making ends meet as it was.  This means she will only be able to use the new wheelchair around the home.

Now Lauren needs your help. She needs help paying for a wheelchair van to help her get around to and from doctors appointments. In addition, a wheelchair van will greatly help improve her quality of life by allowing her to get out more. Lauren also needs help paying for her medical expenses and daily care.

I am organizing this fundraiser on Lauren’s behalf.  Even the smallest contribution would help!

Even if you cannot contribute financially you can help by spreading the word! Please post it to Twitter, join the Facebook Fan Page and suggest it to your friends, post it to your Facebook or MySpace profile, email it to your friends and family, or even blog about it!

Lauren, my mom, and I thank you from the bottom of our hearts!