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Hello friends, family and supporters of Martha and her family
I have set up this website as a way for us all to give support to Martha and her family. It is also a way for us to read of her journey so that we may all feel a little bit more connected to her. For those of you that don't know Martha, and have come to this website because of a link you found, let me tell you about my new dear friend and why I have set up this website. She was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) 10 years ago, when she was 19 years old. This spring, Martha contracted a rare brain disease called Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML) due to complications caused by the MS medication she was on that suppressed her immune system. For more information about PML, click here. Martha underwent a form of dialysis, called plasmapheresis which stripped the drug from her blood so that her immune system could be restored and attack the disease. The procedure was successful and Martha's life was spared. (For more info on Martha, please go to the photo, video and blog links)
However, this disease has left damaging lesions on her cerebellum. She cannot walk on her own, she cannot feed herself, she has a difficult time talking, her motor skills are impaired and she has very limited control of...well, everything. She is dizzy most of the time and has double vision. She has made progress since she has been in the rehab center, but it is difficult for her to see the progress. She is determined to move forward and continues to work hard at everything the therapists throw at her. The road ahead for Martha is still uncertain. It is hard to tell how much of her physical capabilities she will get back. But, she is hoping to leave the rehab center and go home before Christmas. This is where we need your help. Besides all the bills that have piled up for her and her family, there is much to be done to their home to make it comfortable for them. They need a wheelchair ramp, a bathroom suitable for Martha, etc. WE NEED YOUR HELP!
Please join me in providing a small financial blessing to Martha. If every one who comes here makes a donation, we can make a difference. Donations can be made securely through PayPal and are transferred directly to Martha.
EVERY CONTRIBUTION CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Let me tell you of a story about the Prophet Joseph Smith I read recently that helped sum up how I feel.
Joseph was out with a group of men sitting on a fence. "Pretty soon a man came up and said that a poor brother who lived out some distance from town had had his house burned down the night before. Nearly all of the men said they felt sorry for the man. Joseph put his hand in his pocket, took out five dollars and said, ‘I feel sorry for this brother to the amount of five dollars; how much do you all feel sorry?"
The other gentlemen followed and their love was shown through action.
I believe this is a great opportunity for all of us to show our support to Martha. Enough "five dollar donations" can really make a difference. Let us join together and be as generous as we can to support such a deserving individual. Please discuss with your family and make a generous donation today.
Many of you know Martha from before she contracted the disease. I only knew Martha a short time before she contracted this disease, but have since developed a deep friendship. Martha's sister is one of my best friends from college. I live in Orem, near the rehab center Martha is in. I told my dear friend that I wanted to help in any way that I could. I feel so blessed that they asked for my help and that I am able to help. I get to be with Martha two days a week for just a few hours a day. I have grown to love her very much. We talk, we cry, we laugh. I try to offer words of comfort, sometimes I feel there are none. I want to give Martha some hope and I want to provide some relief to her family. This was the best way I could think of to do both. Please consider the special Christmas season coming up and give the best gift anyone could give another person...Hope. It is very much appreciated.
Please continue to visit this site, we will be adding video, pictures and will be blogging so that you can keep up with Martha's progress. Thank you so much for your love, your prayers and your donations. WE LOVE YOU!
I have set up this website as a way for us all to give support to Martha and her family. It is also a way for us to read of her journey so that we may all feel a little bit more connected to her. For those of you that don't know Martha, and have come to this website because of a link you found, let me tell you about my new dear friend and why I have set up this website. She was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) 10 years ago, when she was 19 years old. This spring, Martha contracted a rare brain disease called Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML) due to complications caused by the MS medication she was on that suppressed her immune system. For more information about PML, click here. Martha underwent a form of dialysis, called plasmapheresis which stripped the drug from her blood so that her immune system could be restored and attack the disease. The procedure was successful and Martha's life was spared. (For more info on Martha, please go to the photo, video and blog links)
However, this disease has left damaging lesions on her cerebellum. She cannot walk on her own, she cannot feed herself, she has a difficult time talking, her motor skills are impaired and she has very limited control of...well, everything. She is dizzy most of the time and has double vision. She has made progress since she has been in the rehab center, but it is difficult for her to see the progress. She is determined to move forward and continues to work hard at everything the therapists throw at her. The road ahead for Martha is still uncertain. It is hard to tell how much of her physical capabilities she will get back. But, she is hoping to leave the rehab center and go home before Christmas. This is where we need your help. Besides all the bills that have piled up for her and her family, there is much to be done to their home to make it comfortable for them. They need a wheelchair ramp, a bathroom suitable for Martha, etc. WE NEED YOUR HELP!
Please join me in providing a small financial blessing to Martha. If every one who comes here makes a donation, we can make a difference. Donations can be made securely through PayPal and are transferred directly to Martha.
EVERY CONTRIBUTION CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Let me tell you of a story about the Prophet Joseph Smith I read recently that helped sum up how I feel.
Joseph was out with a group of men sitting on a fence. "Pretty soon a man came up and said that a poor brother who lived out some distance from town had had his house burned down the night before. Nearly all of the men said they felt sorry for the man. Joseph put his hand in his pocket, took out five dollars and said, ‘I feel sorry for this brother to the amount of five dollars; how much do you all feel sorry?"
The other gentlemen followed and their love was shown through action.
I believe this is a great opportunity for all of us to show our support to Martha. Enough "five dollar donations" can really make a difference. Let us join together and be as generous as we can to support such a deserving individual. Please discuss with your family and make a generous donation today.
Many of you know Martha from before she contracted the disease. I only knew Martha a short time before she contracted this disease, but have since developed a deep friendship. Martha's sister is one of my best friends from college. I live in Orem, near the rehab center Martha is in. I told my dear friend that I wanted to help in any way that I could. I feel so blessed that they asked for my help and that I am able to help. I get to be with Martha two days a week for just a few hours a day. I have grown to love her very much. We talk, we cry, we laugh. I try to offer words of comfort, sometimes I feel there are none. I want to give Martha some hope and I want to provide some relief to her family. This was the best way I could think of to do both. Please consider the special Christmas season coming up and give the best gift anyone could give another person...Hope. It is very much appreciated.
Please continue to visit this site, we will be adding video, pictures and will be blogging so that you can keep up with Martha's progress. Thank you so much for your love, your prayers and your donations. WE LOVE YOU!
