MEET Starla
Starla is a bright 15 year old that has been diagnosed with Meniere's Disease. Starla was a normal young lady until the symptoms of Meniere's started showing themselves about 9 months ago. Most young people at this age are excited about hanging out with friends, high school, getting their drivers licenses, dating, sports, part-time jobs, but Meniere's has robbed this special young lady of all these things.
Starla has constant ringing in her ears, her balance is very unstable, the room is constantly spinning which makes her physically ill, reading her school books is nearly impossible due to her eyes bouncing so much and the lack of being able to focus on the words. Starla's hearing is not so good in her left ear; she could become deaf in her left ear (possibly both ears) over time. She is in need of constant supervision and at times can't even shower without someone with her. She has fallen so many times and gotten hurt because her balance is so bad. Her days are long, painful and exhausting; she tries so hard to be symptoms free and does everything the doctors tell her. There is no cure for Meniere's Disease, the only thing they an do is try to manage the symptoms and pray for a period of time that she may go into remission.
Starla has been working with doctors in her hometown as well as Knoxville, TN. She has been referred to Vanderbilt Children's Hospital in Nashville TN. These trips are very long and difficult on Starla and her family.
MEET JOSHUA
Joshua is Starla's step-father, he is a hard working man that is the main supporter for their family. Nearly 2 months ago Joshua had an accident that left him with a Traumatic Brain Injury. Joshua is 38 years old and due to the accident he has no memories of the past 38 years of his life. He is having to relearn who "HE" is, who the people around him are (including his wife and kids), he has no memory of his job or what he does, is learning basic things all over again.
Joshua has started having seizures now due to the Traumatic Brain Injury, this has been a very scary thing for him and his family to go through. He has been working with a specialist and working on recovery. It is very upsetting for Joshua knowing that he was always a hard working man with a "family first and most important" attitude and now due to the accident he is unable to work and support his family and feeling so lost inside his own mind. Imagine, if you will, waking up one day and everything about who you are is gone in an instant.
The family has always been the typed of family that reaches out to help others no questions asked. The family has always been there to help family, friends, a neighbor or community as a whole. Now their world has been turned upside down to say the least. There are three other children in this family, two of which have just graduated high school and starting college and one that is a "special needs' and a junior in high school. -
See ➡ http://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/angels-needed-for-starla-and-joshua/82589
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