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How Donations Are Used

According to https://psyche.co/guides/how-to-live-and-thrive-with-a-chronic-illness in her book Illness as Metaphor (1978), Susan Sontag says: “Everyone who is born holds dual citizenship, in the kingdom of the well and in the kingdom of the sick. Although we all prefer to use the good passport, sooner or later each of us is obliged, at least for a spell, to identify ourselves as citizens of that other place.” Some people only pass through the kingdom of the sick, like tourists, but others unwittingly take up permanent residence.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, six in every 10 adults in the United States have a chronic disease. Four in 10 have two illnesses or more. Some 50 million of those people suffer from autoimmune diseases of unknown origin. Many COVID-19 patients with persistent symptoms now join the ranks of these long-haulers.

Non-Apparent and Invisible

There are many organizations around that world that focus their attention on research regarding medical and pharmaceutical conditions and usage. However, there are thousands of people (especially women) who have a hidden, non-apparent disability (75% of those with disabilities have nonvisible disabilities, such as diabetes, anxiety and ADHD; https://respectability.org) who deal with stigma, pain, depression, anxiety and the constant insecurity of not knowing what is the matter with them, or how to deal with the challenges.

The donations and funding that we receive go to supporting women in many ways; here are just a few:

• Facilitating research to better support those with non-apparent disabilities to lower the suicide rate, save marriages, and improve their financial situation
• Media coverage/education to raise awareness of the need for more support for those with non-apparent disabilities
• Challenge the medical insurance industry to more fairly cover medical costs deemed essential by doctors
• Training of hotels and airlines to better understand the meaning of non-apparent disabilities
• Advocacy with hotels and the travel industry to better meet the needs of those with non-apparent disabilities
• Scholarships for training programs for women with hidden disabilities to help them create employment
• Conferences, seminars, handouts, videos, website, helpline for urgent needs
• A portion is also used for administrative costs

Thank you for any support and encouragement you can offer as we seek to serve those who are overcoming their non-apparent illnesses and diseases to lead full lives!