My URL: http://www.microgiving.com/profile/nrsando Offline |
Member Since: 11/09/10 | Login Count: 48 | Profile Views: 2008 | Last Login: 03/02/12
Biography
------------UPDATED 3.11.11-----------PLEASE READ----------
I don't know where to begin with saying this. I got notified last week that the two trial candidates who have already undergone the stem cell procedure have received no benefit to their hearing. Since then, they have cancelled the rest of the trials.
A part of me was really hurt over this news. I felt like, "Ok, maybe I should keep waiting, in the meantime, keep trying to gain the funds to complete my procedure." Then I asked the researchers if there was any possibility that trials will restart anytime soon after changing their protocol. Their answer was, "Not anytime soon."
Another part of me felt like this was my fate, right? I waited it out, waited to gain some funds, and God made me wait this long in order for me to stay safe ..not lose the donations to a non-benefiting procedure...right? This is how God works.
With that said, I emailed the coordinators of Microgiving. What a mess I've made! I asked all these people for strength, dreams, believing in me, and financial help- and to nothing. I asked Microgiving if it's possible that I can return everyone's donations, even those who donated Anonymously, since I don't feel right keeping the money that was intended for the stem cell trial. They asked me if there was any other way I could use the funds to benefit this part of my body that was just not operating properly. And there is. I could use these funds for hearing aids (which I so badly need). I know everyone donated with the intention of these funds going for the stem cell trial procedure, and since that is no longer an option, I am giving those who donated the option of having their funds returned, or to have them be used for hearing aids. Please do not feel pressured if you would like your money back. I will be more than happy to have Microgiving reverse the donation. Please know that I am honored as it is to have seen all of you help me so in my time of need, and that is the most beautiful thing I could have asked for.
Most of you who have donated can contact me personally, via cellphone or email to have the funds reversed back into your account, or to have them used for hearing aids. If you do not have my contact information, feel free to ask around to those who know me, or contact me on Microgiving.
Thank you all who donated!! Thank you in advance if you're letting me keep the funds for hearing aids. Most of all God Bless and thank you for believing in me!!
Hello everyone, and thank you for visiting my dreams. My name is Natalie and many of you know that in the 3rd Grade, I was diagnosed with sensorineural hearing loss. Over the years, I have lost my hearing gradually, as this is a degenerative disease that runs on one side of my family. Out of all my siblings, I am the only one who is a carrier.
I stopped hearing birds a long time ago, perhaps when I turned eleven years old. Sometimes, when I stand outside, I try to hear the little scurries that happen everyday on the forest floor, the sounds that people take for granted that I cannot hear. People say it's amazing how beautiful an orchestra can sound with just the triangle and chimes accenting the music. Never heard it. I think when I was in 1st grade, in music class I've tried playing both of these instruments, but I don't remember what they sound like. Cell phone ringing across the room? Where? Today, I even have trouble understanding people who speak to me. Unless they are articulating very well, I usually will have to read their lips to make out what they are saying. Growing up, my Mother would tell me to hide my hearing loss from people, because she felt it was a disgrace and an embarrassment to our family- that people would talk about us badly. It was always a negative thing for her, and unfortunately, I was never good enough in her eyes as compared to the girl next to me, because I was going deaf- and that girl wasn't. I have done the opposite, however. I have been very open about my problem. I never wanted to hear from people, "Are you slow or something? Stupid?" when I couldn't understand what they were saying. It was out of my hands. I felt that God had granted me this in my life and it was just my fate. And you know what? It changed me. It matured me up real fast, as I knew the person who was blind or deaf couldn't help it- why make fun of them like kids do when they're little? I was definitely more understanding and helpful with those people when I met them along this path called life.
Regardless, I would pray everyday that my hearing would get better. I have a lot of faith in God, and believe in Him. Jesus has told us that the kingdom of God was like a mustard seed and if we had just the faith the size of that mustard seed, we could move mountains. I believe I can turn around that which doctors told me I couldn't. Here is my story...
In 2006, when I had turned twenty years old, my sister met a doctor in NYC that said I should be on a specific prescription medicine and some vitamins to slow down or stop my hearing loss. He had done studies on his own time and he felt that taking this medicine would help my situation. He told my sister, "What did all the doctors in Chicago tell her? That she can't fix it? To go live with it? Get a hearing aid and just live with it? Send her to me. I will help her." My first visit to his office was unforgettable. His walls were plastered with awards, achievements, donation/charity recognitions, and was even named one of the Top Physicians- if I recall, there wasn't paint or wallpaper on the walls- just awards on every square inch. The waiting room... had no room. I sat on the floor outside of the waiting room because there were so many people waiting to see him.
I was called in by an audiologist, who gave me a hearing test. My sister was with me, and after my testing was complete, I was taken out of the testing room to be confronted about my hearing loss (like I didn't already know). The audiologist began yelling as she stood behind me, "YOU HAVE A 60% LOSS IN BOTH EARS! I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU HEAR!? I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU EVEN DO WELL IN SCHOOL, ARE YOU DOING WELL IN SCHOOL? CAN YOU EVEN HEAR ME RIGHT NOW?!! ARE YOU AN "A" STUDENT??!!" I immediately started crying- I didn't even turn around to face her. My sister looked at her and said, "Why are you yelling?" My doctor heard her yelling from across the hall and immediately sent her away and gave me tissues to calm me down. He said, "Don't worry about her, she doesn't know anything." He then began to explain the medicine and vitamins that he was giving me, and told me he hopes that this will help me. May I add, that this doctor charged me very little on this visit, since he knew I was a student, and didn't have a lot of money. And Dear Audiologist, Thanks for being so nice about it?
Over the next four years, I would visit him every year to take a hearing test and see if I had lost any more hearing. I was steady. My hearing loss plateaued, and the medicine was helping me. He never charged me, and when his secretaries would charge me in the front office, he would hand me an envelope in the back room returning my fee. Once, the second year I visited him, I cried out of happiness and hugged him. He reached into his pocket and pulled out some cash, placing it in my purse.
"Go buy yourself something nice today," he said, as I continuously tried to return his money. "No, I want you to have it," he said, as he pushed me out of the room. After I walked out of his office entirely, still crying, I opened my purse, to see that he had given me more than a hundred dollars- and to me, a student in college living off my student loans- that was a lot.
I am blessed.
Grateful.
The happiness he showed me that day... changed me. From that moment, I wanted people to feel the way I felt when he did that for me. I wanted to be able to do that to people. I wrote him a beautiful card after every visit, because he made me feel absolutely blessed/beautiful/special- and I wanted to make him feel that way too.
When I began working, I started giving to strangers when I could, I have donated to those who asked, and the feeling I get when I give is indescribable. I owed it to Dr. Mehta. I hope everyone gives one day, and helps those who need, because we are better off than a lot of people in this world.
On my most recent visit to my ear doctor, I asked him if its time to get a hearing aid. I know I could go on forever reading lips and having trouble understanding people, but I want to hear. I don't like living this way. He told me, as of right now, there really isn't anything out there, but soon there will be. He said, "A hearing aid won't hurt you. Why not? Continue the medicine, and if you WANT a hearing aid, get one."
I cried. It's never easy accepting that you're not "normal." Even though I accepted it a long time ago, it's still hard. Now, I just needed two hearing aids to prove it to the world. Hey guys, I can't go swimming with you all today, but I can lay in the sun and watch you! ...it's never easy.
I began hunting for hearing aids when I got home to Chicago. I quickly realized how expensive they were... and I needed two. Somewhere, somehow, I came across a stem cell website that informed people about releases, stem cell in the media, and new occurrences. I signed up, I thought, "Why not? to be notified when trials were given for hearing loss. I continued to believe that I can change this. I have faith.
In May 2010, I got an email. I was selected to be in a trial opportunity to receive stem cells in hopes to regain my hearing. I was absolutely ecstatic. I felt this was my answer- this is what I've been praying for- and this is why I'm on Microgiving. It's a trial. And it costs money. The stem cells are derived from my own bone marrow. There's only a few of us going into the trial to see if stem cells will deem successful on us. I can't pretend and say I will regain my hearing. I can only hope, pray, and believe that I will. The best gift is one from you, if you can hope, pray, and believe with me.
My Purpose
So here I am, and I'm asking for your help and donation, if you can. Any kind of donation, big or small, will help me. If the stem cells deem successful, this will open a lot of doors for people with hearing loss, vision problems, and anyone with a degenerative disease. This trial will create a foundation for the belief in stem cell success and research. Since May, I have tried to save as much as I could on my own, but paying my bills and student loans are taking all that I make. I am living for free with family as of now, and try to put aside what I can. The trial costs $9,500 and there is testing that needs to be done prior to my trial date. I am asking for $10,500, so I can help pay for the specific testing that they require, and also for my flight/hotel at the testing site.
Please know in your heart that if you donate for me, you're ultimately supporting everyone else in this world who believes in the success of stem cells as well. I believe this trial will work. And you should too. Not just for me- but for everyone.
Recent changes in my life : In April, I moved from Chicago, IL to Washington, DC to work after school ( I was unemployed for one year in Chicago after graduating from ISU!)
Favorite board game Monopoly for sure, and Trouble
What is most important thing in your life? Happiness... and also my sister's children, Alara and Aydan
What is your favorite meal? Breakfast! mmm... eggs... bacon... sausage... fattening stuff!!
If you could have one super power, what would it be? To Heal
What characteristics do you think you've inherited from your parents? Giving... from my Dad
What do you never leave home without? A good attitude!!!
Who would you most like to meet? As childish as this sounds.... the SUPER HOT ...dun..dun...dUN.. Gerard Butler
What is the most embarrassing thing youve ever done? One time, I worked as a bus girl, and accidently dropped a dirty fork in a customer's.... yes, his butt crack! I was mortified.
List achievements and any future educational plans : "You only live once- why not make yourself the best you can be?"
I heard this once from my friend Brian- this guy's been to space and back- no joke! So, with that said, I would definitely like to get my Master's one day- and if I am able to continue, let's go Doctorate!!
Photos Of Natalie
(Photos: 4 | Views: N/A | Last upload: November 10th, 2010 )
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Who I am:
Hi everyone, my name is Natalie! I'm from the outside suburbs of Chicago, IL, and after I graduated college, I was unemployed for over a year until my Uncle in Maryland offered me a position in his company that I realllllly needed.
What I need and what brought me to MicroGiving:
In 3rd grade, I got diagnosed with sensorinueral hearing loss that degenerates as I get older. Presently, I hold over a 60% loss in both ears. I can't afford hearings aids right now. Everyday, I pray to God that something different will fix me. At my Uncle's work, I make pennies. I am pretty much able to pay my student loans, bills, and random donations to strangers on the street with my current income. My parents are financially unable to help me in this recession.
My circumstance and my need for help:
I was selected to be in a trial opportunity to receive stem cells in hopes to regain my hearing. I was absolutely ecstatic. I felt this was my answer- this is what I've been praying for- and this is why I'm on Microgiving. It's a trial. And it costs money. The stem cells are derived from my own bone marrow. There's only a few of us going into the trial to see if stem cells will deem successful on us. I can't pretend and say I will regain my hearing. I can only hope, pray, and believe that I will. The best gift is one from you, if you can hope, pray, and believe with me.
Any Supports other than Microgiving:
I have asked friends and family personally for some kind of donation to help me pay for this procedure. Anything will help me, big or small. Anything and everything is so greatly appreciated.
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Member Since: 11/09/10 | Login Count: 48 | Profile Views: 2008 | Last Login: 03/02/12 
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