Denise Renae Dobbs

*Renae is fundraising with Help Hope Live in part because donations are tax deductible for contributors and will only be used to cover medical and related expenses. HHL verifies medical & financial need.* (Click “See All” for Renae’s story & info on her conditions.)

Renae is a 48 year old musician (aka “Sonny Ray”), artist, and former teacher who has been living with several rare conditions that are incredibly difficult to treat. (See list below.) She does not have access to the highly specialized care she needs in Arkansas and needs your help to see an out of state team of specialists and get a service dog.

Renae taught in NYC schools, completed grad school at night, and raised two kids as a single mom. After moving back to Arkansas, her health began to affect her ability to teach. By 2016, she stepped down to subbing, but her conditions worsened. In 2020, her symptoms became debilitating with the addition of Long COVID. Since then, misdiagnoses and inappropriate treatments have made things worse.

Renae has had many injuries due to falls, but the worst instance was on 8/3/24 when she woke up on the floor with a head wound, broken teeth, and a fractured nose. (See gallery.) She hopes that with proper care she will improve enough to pick up her grandkids without worrying about having a seizure or passing out.

It’s also terrifying for her to have episodes in public and need help from strangers. A service dog would be a huge help that would allow her to remain living independently and safely, as long as possible.

While Renae is hopeful Cleveland Clinic can help, she faces major financial barriers. Significant cost for specialists, tests, and treatments will be out of pocket, as well as travel, lodging, and basic needs. ALL contributions are deeply appreciated!

Medical Conditions

Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) occurs when nerve signals misfire. It leads to seizures, spastic movements, and cognitive issues. She is restricted from driving and is at risk of injury due to falling.

Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) is now severely impeding blood flow to/from her feet and legs. This also adds to her fall risk, and she has a very high chance of heart attack, stroke, aneurysm, amputation of legs, or death if this reaches the next and final stage.

Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) is a genetic connective tissue disorder that severely affects multiple body systems.

Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) causes racing heart and sudden blood pressure spikes and drops that can lead to fainting and injuries.

Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) is an autoimmune condition that manifests throughout the body in a variety of ways, such as hives. It’s also responsible for medication and food sensitivities which add challenges.

Hashimoto’s is an autoimmune disease that affects thyroid (and therefore the entire body).

Degenerative Disc Disease is a severe and painful arthritic condition causing cervical instability which requires neck surgery at this stage.

Eagles’ Syndrome is an elongated Styloid process (side of neck) which leads to calcification of the temporal bone, inflammation, stiffness, severe pain, and eventually can cause stroke. (Renae suffered two TIA’s with COVID.)

*Neck surgeries are needed for both Eagle’s Syndrome and Cervical Instability, but the CC team determined she is too high risk for stroke to be able to have either surgery.*

MTHFR is a genetic mutation that causes malabsorption of B12, leading to chronic fatigue and more.

Anemia is low iron, and she is not able to get the necessary infusions covered by insurance. She is on a triple dose of iron tablets, but her levels remain low on labs.

Factor V Leiden is a genetic blood clotting disorder that greatly increases stroke risk.

Long COVID is still being studied and is known to cause POTS, which Renae already had. Covid made her pre-existing conditions much worse and more complicated to treat.