Nura Heard

Nura was born with arthrogryposis, so adapting is something she’s been doing her entire life. She figures things out, finds workarounds, learns what she needs to learn, and keeps going. Honestly, she’s had a lot of practice.

She’s also a mom, photographer, nature lover, swimmer, and someone who loves to cook. Her medical conditions are part of her life, but they aren’t what define her.

Why She Needs to Relocate

Over the last several years, Nura’s health has become much more complicated. In 2018, she was diagnosed with Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS), Dysautonomia, Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS), and Sjögren’s Syndrome. In 2019, she was diagnosed with Gastroparesis. This year, she was also diagnosed with Lupus and Rheumatoid Arthritis.

She uses her wheelchair more often, and her current home is no longer accessible enough for her needs. She now needs more specialized, coordinated medical care that is not available where she currently lives.

Nura also carries the gene associated with Hereditary Amyloidosis. She put that concern aside for years while dealing with everything else, but she is now experiencing symptoms that need to be evaluated.

Colorado is home to the closest specialized amyloidosis clinic. Nura recently spoke directly with the program and learned that no referral is required and that they’re currently booking about two months out. Getting to Colorado would allow her to finally start that evaluation and access the care she urgently needs.

As a single disabled mother, she doesn’t have the income to simply pack up and start over somewhere else.

How You Can Help

Nura is hoping to raise $10,000 to make the move possible. Your donations will allow Nura to:

• Transportation for Nura, her daughter, their belongings, and their cats

• Temporary accessible housing upon arrival in Colorado

• Initial living and settling-in expenses

• Costs associated with establishing medical care, support services, and benefits in a new state

• The transition to stable, permanent housing

Looking Forward

This move isn’t just about finding more doctors. It’s about getting Nura’s life back.

She wants to spend more time taking photographs, swimming, being outside, cooking, and having a life outside of medical appointments.

Nura has spent her whole life adapting to the things she can’t change. Now she’s making a change to improve her quality of life.

She knows where she needs to go and why she needs to go there. She just needs some help getting there.

If you can donate, thank you. If you can’t, sharing her fundraiser can help just as much.

Every share, every donation, and every act of support help bring Nura closer to the care, stability, and quality of life she deserves.