This fundraising campaign is important to me. Not only because of my own personal experiences with a "zebra" diagnosis, but also because it is so crucial to spread awareness among medical professionals and the general public. I'm talking about the "zebras" of the medical community, a term that is often used to describe rare or uncommon diseases and diagnoses. These can be extremely difficult to spot, making the unfortunate condition of adults and children suffering from them even worse.
The saying goes "When you hear hoofbeats behind you, don't expect to see a zebra." After all, there are so many horses out there, right? But there are zebras, too! And they're out there, hidden in plain sight, just waiting for someone to look closer. I don't believe the saying is necessarily meant as a slight against zebras, but rather a comment on how much more common horses are.
However, what medical professionals say and do about rare or uncommon diseases and diagnoses has a very real impact on their patients. When my partner went to the doctor for a "zebra" condition, it took a full 18 months of dealing with debilitating symptoms before she finally received a diagnosis for hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. That's 18 months of going to medical professionals, suffering pain and discomfort, losing her ability to work, and generally trying her best to find hope everyday. I am fundraising to help my partner cover costs for treatment, care, and accommodations as she tackles a rare condition. There are things that are vital to improving her quality of life, such as a motorized wheelchair and a service dog. These are important tools to assist her in living as comfortably as possible. If you are able, please give generously.
This is why it's so important to spread awareness about rare and uncommon diseases and diagnoses among the public and healthcare communities. It doesn't matter how many "horses" you see, don't stop looking for the "zebras."
