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Event
Dysautonomia International Fundraiser
Hosted by Mary Cramer with assistance from West Islip High School's, "Students with H.E.A.R.T.T."
Dysautonomia is an umbrella term that describes many illness',from varying degrees, that cause the bodies autonomic, or automatic, body functions to work improperly. These include, but are not limited to, heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, and body temperature regulations. Dysautonomia is a underfunded, under-diagnosed category of illness', but with your help, we can try & change that.
When I was about 10 years old, I became ill. Every single day I was nauseous, eating was beyond difficult. By the time I was 11 I weighed only 76 pounds. Over the years I was diagnosed with Acid reflux and IBS. During this time I was able to cope with my uncomfortable symptoms, still living an outwardly "normal" teenage life.
Once entering High School, I stayed home from school with the common cold. I stood up, had debilitating lightheadedness, nausea and my heart was racing, I promptly loss consciousness and fell to the floor. Without production, I carried on, thinking I was just out of it from being sick. I stood up once more and once again, passed out. After recovering from my cold I remained dizzy, lightheaded and nauseous, next thing I knew, I fainted again. It started 2 times a month, then 3, then 2 times a week and before I knew it, I couldn't go one day without debilitating, life altering symptoms. By the spring time of my freshman year I was passing out about 2-3 times a day. Every single day. Once forced on home instruction my symptoms did not let up. Bouncing from doctor to doctor, being told I was insane, just because they have never seen a patient like me in the past. Countless weeks spent in hospitals and time wasted in doctors waiting rooms, I became fed up. Finally almost 1 year after I started fainting, 5 years after I became symptomatic I was diagnosed by a prestigious doctor with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome.
Once diagnosed, I was prescribed a handful of medications, which have since only increased, and was given peace of mind. I was not insane. I am sick. I would love to say that since my diagnosis my life steadily improved, but for the first year I was just as sick as before. I spent a good portion of my Sophomore year in a hospital bed and the other passed out on the floor of every place I entered. Once again, home instructed I continued to be symptomatic and reliant on medication.
Through understanding doctors, medication management, and determination, entering my senior year I've pushed myself to do things just one year ago I wouldn't have dreamed possible. Dysautonomia is a life altering umbrella of debilitating syndromes, with your help we can change and improve the quality of life for patients like me. Thank you.
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LocationFiremans park (View)
Heling boulevard
lindenhurst , NY 11757
United States
Categories
| Kid Friendly: Yes! |
| Dog Friendly: No |
| Non-Smoking: Yes! |
| Wheelchair Accessible: Yes! |
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Contact
| Owner: Mary Cramer |
| On BPT Since: Jul 30, 2015 |
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| Mary Cramer |
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