Please Help Me Make a Sick Girl’s Birthday Special

Friends:  If you have a moment, I need help with something important.  One Fashionably ill reader, Cynthia, has asked for my help.  Her daughter, Lauryn, is very sick.  She is getting treatment for Myasthenia Gravis (MG) and will be celebrating her 17th birthday in the hospital.  Lauryn’s wish is to receive a lot of birthday cards.  They don’t have to be Hallmark cards; Cynthia says that homemade cards are also welcome.

How Cards Made a Difference in My Battle

Lauryn is very young.  I was fortunate that I was 24-years old when I was diagnosed with and hospitalized in critical condition for MG.  I was given a 50/50 shot of living.  And here we are six years later.  I can’t stress enough that no act of kindness is too small.  I’ve told my mom that treatment was one of the most painful times of my life but also surprisingly, one of the best times.  That’s because so many people–friends, family, and even strangers–showed me compassion.  Every balloon and floral arrangement cheered me up.  I also kept every single card including drawings from nephews to cards from elementary school teachers I had.  While MG causes chronic pain and fatigue, the battle is also mental; young patients tend to miss out on milestones their peers experience.  Every bit of compassion helps.  Having bipolar disorder, I have also received cards at critical moments when I was depressed.

Where to Send Cards

Over the past two years, I have been overwhelmed by the compassion of Fashionably ill readers.  You have touched me with your empathy.  In battling illness, whether it’s cancer or autoimmune or mental illness, I believe that we are stronger together!  If you can, please take a moment to send Lauryn a card:

Levine Children’s Hospital 
1000 Blythe Blvd room 4002  (Lauryn B.)
Charlotte, NC 28203

In my next post, I’ll be giving an update on my neurology visit and testing this week.  Thanks in advance for any help!

–Your Stylist, Jessica Gimeno

Meet other warriors!  “Like” us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/fashionablyill.