My name is Ann Morrison and in October 2010, I was diagnosed with metallosis, a form of systemic metal poisoning as a result of complications from a double hip replacement. My case of metallosis has caused massive loss of muscle tissue throughout my body as well as damage to my neural system. I have had 13 surgeries to try to reverse some of the damage caused to my body by this condition, but the damage has had a cascading effect upon my mobility, balance, strength and vision. Currently, I use various devices to assist with my mobility including lower extremity braces and a wheelchair when traveling longer distances. I frequently receive physical therapy and have appointments with specialists who treat my muscular lesions.
In response to my disability, I adapted my home to meet my needs by renovating the first floor to be wheelchair accessible and to include a bedroom, laundry room, bathroom and shower. While these modifications have made living in my home more accommodating, I still have extreme difficulty with mobility and balance. Consequently, I hope to obtain a service dog to help me with my daily activities, mobility, and balance. I have been working with an organization which provides service dogs to individuals with disabilities and have been assigned a labradooddle named Carson that should be ready to come live with me in six months! I couldn’t be more excited for Carson and the improvements that he will bring to my life.
Since my initial diagnosis, the cost of my treatments, renovations and other expenses has been astronomical and I still have a long way to go. To help with these financial burdens and the expense of acquiring a dog, a fundraising campaign has been established in my honor with Help Hope Live, a trusted nonprofit organization that provides fundraising guidance to help patients and families in need for more than 30 years. All the donations are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law and are held by Help Hope Live in the Mid-Atlantic Catastrophic Illness Fund in my honor. Donations are allocated by Help Hope Live based on financial need for illness-related expenses. Please consider making a donation today.
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Thank you for your support and generosity.
With sincere appreciation,
Ann Morrison
302-559-9507
morrison.am@gmail.com
