Louisa Soares Harper has learned to smile through her pain. Living with Fibromyalgia means living with day to day chronic pain. Fibromyalgia is a disease that affects the Central Nervous System. Louisa’s symptoms are highly unpredictable; they include chronic migraines, fainting spells, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, arthritis, endometriosis, and the list grows daily. Louisa must have daily tests done to monitor her condition closely. The pain is so great, that Louisa must use a cane to walk, and even then mobility can seem unbearable.
A few years ago, her dog Jack (pictured here) thankfully came into her life. Jack is not a trained working dog; however, he has learned to help Louisa with her mobility issues. Jack allows Louisa to lean on him as she goes about her daily activities. He sets up squeaky toys around the house, so he can hear when she wants to move. Jack has also saved Louisa’s life, cushioning her head from hitting the pavement after a dizzy spell.
But Jack can’t speak for Louisa. Often, Louisa is not able to explain if she’s feeling ill, and because her symptoms are so varied and unpredictable, she never knows what’s going to happen to her. Because of her pain, Louisa is not able to work. She is not able to afford the critical service, but she is just one of many Canadians who desperately need our services. So, Dr. Dave recommended Louisa to MedicAlert for the Membership Assistance story.
Becoming a MedicAlert member means so much to Louisa. Louisa sees MedicAlert as, “another person who will be there for me when I need it – which is everyday of my life!” It relieves her stress, knowing that if she goes in public and has an emergency situation, she can simply flash her MedicAlert necklace and anyone who needs it can access her Personal Record. Louisa’s MedicAlert membership gives her a new sense of freedom. She no longer has to explain her multiplicity of problems to every person, paramedic or doctor who needs to know about her health conditions.
With MedicAlert on her side, Louisa’s support group and world are expanding. Louisa wanted to give thanks to her “new brother” David Monnette, and Teresa, friends that have always been there for her. She was also thrilled about the awareness that MedicAlert is bringing to Fibromyalgia, a disease many people and doctors still do not understand.
Thank you to our members, our generous donors who keep these vital programs alive. It is through your kind donations that MedicAlert is able to assist people who need the freedom and peace of mind we provide. We (and you!) speak for Louisa.