Welcome to my fundraising page benefiting the Siegel Rare Neuroimmune Association (SRNA). Every dollar I raise through my fundraising page will help fund education, research programs and services that support individuals diagnosed with rare neuroimmune disorders. In January 2019, I experienced my first flare of ocular neuritis. My son had just reached his two month birthday and well baby check-up when I started experiencing some pain in my right eye. It wasn't anything crazy to start, just some discomfort and annoyance. Three days later, I was at my optometrist's office in intense pain, begging him to tell me what is wrong because this can't be normal. We spent almost 2 hours doing tests and him looking at every facet of my eye and optic nerve system with no obvious solution. I had pain when I moved my eye in any direction and intense pressure building behind my eye. It basically felt like my eyeball was about to pop out. I spoke with a friend from HS who is now an optometrist the next morning when I woke up with extreme pain, pressure and minimal vision. She asked me to call her as soon as she read my message asking for advice and told me to find an ophthalmologist asap, and if I can't I need to go to the ER. Unbeknownst to me, she had an inkling of what was to come and made sure to point me in the right direction. With no offices open yet, I packed up my son and my dad drove me to Sikeston to wait for our local doctor's office to open and see if we can get in to see someone as an emergency walk-in. No such luck. Tuesday is surgery day. So off to Cape. After mostly pushing my way into see a doctor, he took one look at my eye and told me to plan to head to the local ER. He called and confirmed that was the best next step, spoke with the neurologist running the ER, and gave me instructions on where to go and what to expect. Flash forward 30 minutes and I'm in a room, breastfeeding my son for what would end up being the last time when the neurologist walked in and said they were admitting me. Over the next four months, I experienced two one-week hospital stays, 14 days and nights away from my husband and newborn baby, high dose steroids, 3 MRIs, more needle sticks and lab tests than I've ever experienced, 3 spinal taps (one bed side attempt that didn't work), and 5 doses plasmapheresis. And I stumped my new, local neurologist. So, off to St. Louis to visit Dr. Singer at the MS Center for Innovations in Care. Another visit to the lab, more blood work, and two weeks later I received my confirmed positive diagnosis for MOG-AB disease / MOG+ / MOG encephalomyelitis. My family is working to absorb, adjust, and accept this new way of life and every day is a day Jesus helps us all through. Some days are great, some days I don't recognize the person I now am. But every day, I have the support of my husband and my family and appreciate each and every snuggle my now almost one year old shares with me. And picking up this cause and embracing this new family I never wanted but has welcomed me with open arms is becoming a huge passion. With such a rare neuroimmune disease, and so little information out there, the SRNA has been a God-send organization to support my journey. And giving back in as many ways possible is something I plan to do until we have all the answers we need to solve these debilitating diseases. All contributions, of any size, make a difference! The SRNA is a not-for-profit organization that relies on philanthropic support to sustain its mission: to improve the quality of life of any person who is diagnosed with a rare neuroimmune disorder. As a nonprofit organization, they rely on community support to provide the best support available to people diagnosed with rare neuroimmune disorders and their families. 100 percent of your donation to the SRNA supports the organization’s highest ongoing priorities. Every donation makes a meaningful impact in the lives of people diagnosed with rare neuroimmune disorders and their families. Thank you for your support!