My Nonprofit Reviews

When I was diagnosed with Anti-MDA5 positive Dermatomyositis in December of 2021, I was overwhelmed. I went from teaching kindergarten and working 50 - 70 hours a week to barely being able to walk or function. My doctor at John Hopkins recommended that I look into the online support groups offered by MSU. She told me that no one can go through this disease alone. Fortunately, they were having a support group that weekend. I joined the Zoom call and immediately found a family that offered the much needed support. They helped me understand all of the tests, medical terms, etc. They listened to me cry over difficult tests and appointments. They listened when even the doctors and family members didn't.

After a few months of meetings, I chose to volunteer to begin the monthly Dermatomyositis support group. Since that time, I have joined the MSU Board of Directors and the committees that are focusing on Patient Centered Research, Advocacy and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

I do not know where I would be in my Myositis journey without my MSU family. They have provided support that even my family could not provide because no one understands what we go through except other patients. I will forever be grateful to Jerry Williams and all the volunteers and patients at MSU.