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Help Save Amara's Life

Help Amara write the next Chapter of her life, "Getting Well".

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Help Save Amara's Life

Help Save Amara's Life

Help Save Amara's Life

Help Save Amara's Life

Help Save Amara's Life

Help Amara write the next Chapter of her life, "Getting Well".

Help Amara write the next Chapter of her life, "Getting Well".

Help Amara write the next Chapter of her life, "Getting Well".

Help Amara write the next Chapter of her life, "Getting Well".

Leanne Collingwood
Leanne Collingwood
Leanne Collingwood
Leanne Collingwood
1 Campaign |
Brisbane, Australia
$3,677 USD $3,677 USD 103 backers
29% of $12,551 Flexible Goal Flexible Goal

Amara's story and how you can save a life


Amara desperately needs treatment for late state Neurological Lyme disease. She has been unwell for almost her entire adult life.  She was like the rest of us at school, only perhaps a little more vibrant.  She was always the first to put up her hand to help, the first to laugh at a joke, the first to embrace a new challenge.  Things changed dramatically in her early twenties and she became increasingly fatigued and unwell.  Days turned into weeks, weeks into months and months into years of being riddled with a crippling illness that no one could diagnose.  First she was diagnosed with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis otherwise known in Australia as CFS (although completely inappropriately titled considering the crippling and life threatening symptoms). The Australian Medical System did not acknowledge that her other illness, late stage Neuroboreliosis (Tertiary Lyme Disease - contracted from ticks carrying the borrelia bacteria) existed until she tested positive to it and many co-infections in early 2013.  By then Amara was in the throws of the worst Lyme disease had to offer.

Amara suffers severe seizures daily. She has extreme chemical sensitivity that has escalated to anaphalaxys, photophobia, severe cramps and muscle spasms and she can no longer regulate her body temperature.  All of this leads to her suffering extreme seizures as well as bronchial spasms that close off her airways leaving only a tiny space through which the air whistles for her to breathe.  She has been confined to the upstairs level of her parent's rental (darkened by blackout curtains with only the use of dim lamps) for several years due to her severe chemical allergies.  Her joints are constantly dislocated from the force of her seizures and the mixed messages her brain sends, causing her muscles and joints to move out of sync.  The pain associated with this and the intensity of her seizures sees her often paralysed mid sentence.  Most recently Amara suffered a minor stroke due to the warm temperatures that this time of year brings.  This has been a major setback, one that for the first time I believe Amara doubts she can overcome.  The stroke impacted her language centre and she is now unable to access words accurately nor understand what is happening (Apahasia).  Her dementia symptoms have increased dramatically and Amara is falling into paralysis with increasing regularity.

So we need your support to help Amara get everything she needs today.  Her parents who are both aged care pensioners, are her sole carers and closed their business to move away from the pollution and free themselves up to provide care for Amara.  The costs of her medication currently outweighs any benefits they receive from the government and the bills continue to add up.  Amara also desperately needs an air conditioner amongst other many essential items.  Summer is just around the corner and this means an increased number of seizures she will suffer daily due to the heat. Amara never fully recovers from some of her severe seizures and spends days unable to speak or walk properly.

If you could make a donation to Amara's cause you would be making an incredible difference to her life.  Every hour of every day is a struggle for Amara.  With your support, we can make those days seem brighter. 


What We Need 

Amara needs a lot of things, so we're going to just aim high and leave it up to the universe:

ESSENTIALS - Priority 1

                                                   

  • Consultations with Lyme literate doctors and specialists. Amara is currently WITHOUT any doctor and WITHOUT any treatment other than the former treatment plan she was on, which does not address her progressing and more acutely dangerous symptoms.

                                         

  • Medicine.  Amara spends between four hundred often up to seven hundred dollars every few weeks restocking her essential medications that address serious deficiencies, malfunctions, malabsorptions and misfiring systems her body has accrued through long term chronic complex illness.  Amara is currently going without some essential medication due to financial difficulties.

                              


  • A hyperbaric oxygen tent to sleep in or a chamber.  These also need to be new as Amara's intolerances to chemicals mean she cannot have contact with or even be in the vicinity of anything that has been touched by chemicals or inorganic fragrances inadvertently left lingering by previous occupants.

                                                 


  • A new wheelchair that reclines and is collapsible.  Currently Amara uses one that has been donated which is the most basic model.  It has been working for the time being, but it is not comfortable nor safe for her.  Amara has POTS which means she cannot stand upright for long periods of time, the oxygen flow to her brain decreases the longer she's upright which causes her to frequently fall into paralysis often in contorted positions, gravely hurting herself and dislocating joints.

           

  • Ideally two permanent reverse cycle air conditioners (it is hoped the owners would honour the cost of the installation as they would be gaining these products to their property, otherwise they will also have to pay for installation) or at the very least one mobile 6kw portable air conditioner to cool the open spaces of the upstairs rental (the benefit being should they have to move again she can take it with her, however they guzzle more electricity and therefore add to living costs).

                            

     
  • Two or three industrial chrome Bunnings fans (simply because they are the MOST powerful) to help circulate air and also to use in the event a smell seeps into the house.  Amara can redirect the offending scent away from her to ensure she doesn't have a seizure.

                                            

  • Organic meals.  Amara can no longer cook.   Amara has lost all sense of timing due to her dementia symptoms and inability to organise tasks in her head so cooking is no longer an option for Amara.  Her Mum Ros does not have the time or energy to add cooking to her daily tasks. She is already completely overwhelmed and exhausted with  caring for Amara on a daily basis.  To ensure Amara's best chance at healing and fighting infections, she needs good fuel. They have been fortunate to find a local company called Wholesomeness, that do portions of organic pre-prepared gourmet meals (Gluten free, dairy free, organic and locally sourced).  Buying organic food from Wholesomeness, will allow Amara to eat healthy precooked meals without the need for preparation.  


                 

  • Organic personal products and cleaning products, all purchased on sale in big batches to save money.  Many organics are expensive, but through trial and error Amara has found some great brands that are also priced at equivalent rates to their inorganic partners.

                                                        


  • Grab rails throughout the property to ensure Amara's safety when she is trying to navigate around the house.  Due to her weakness and heart issues she needs to have things to hold onto in spaces where the walker will not fit.


NEEDS - Priority 2

                                                    


  • A new walker, as the old one, kindly donated by a neighbour has some parts falling off, most dangerously the rubber handles.  Amara utilises this mobility aid to travel to and from bed and runs the risk of having a serious fall that may cause her to land on the uncovered metal handles.

                                                        

  • Rugs or carpet off cuts. These need to be new and off gassed - a process to allow a new item to emit all toxic smells before being safe - or ideally rugs made from organic cotton or wool.  The wooden floors are not completely sealed so heat rises making cooling upstairs inefficient.  Rugs will also help prevent smoke from seeping through the floorboards from frequent bush fires on Bribie Island.
          

                        


  • A new chaise lounge or lazy boy (reclinable chair) or adjustable electronic hospital bed to go in Amara's lounge room as she has currently constructed a day bed out of a second hand chaise, pillows, memory foam and sheets that tuck it all in.  It serves the purpose but is in constant need of attention and Amara is incessantly re-tucking the sheets and re-positioning pillows to make herself more comfortable.

        

  • Amara needs to swap over every single toxic, chemically unsafe product that we use in every day life.  She has been doing it slowly, from manchester and clothing (most are dyed with formaldehyde that leaks into your washing machine and stays there tainting anything you wash afterwards), to towels,  to cookware, to storage and every possible item you can imagine that was previously benign has now become a danger.  Anything inorganic or that emits chemicals during use causes massive allergic reactions in Amara.  It's a long and slow process.  Amara waits for sales and tries to stock up on a few things at a time, but we've got a long way to go.


                                   

  • Carers.  As with all severe illnesses, it doesn’t just affect the person with the condition.  Amara’s illness has also had a profound impact on her mother and father.  Amara’s parents are elderly and looking after Amara 24/7 is becoming increasingly more difficult.  They have been unable to leave Amara’s side for the past two years due to her deteriorating condition.  Her parents need at least one day a week (ideally more) where Amara is supported by a carer so that they can take time out to relax and unwind. 


What our hope is, is that companies will come on board and offer to donate some of the items Amara needs or you may have contacts that we could utilize to buy the items Amara needs at discounted or even wholesale prices.  Alternatively we would love for a company or companies to match the donations made to this campaign.

We also need YOUR help to get the word out, to really push this campaign and help us save Amara's life.  Things are desperate and for the first time in Amara's long battle, her will is faltering.  She has been fighting longer than most teenagers and children have been alive, the world has changed, technology has moved on, so much has happened all while she's been trapped in a torturous grey day that repeats with varying degrees of terrifying symptoms.  That is no life.  We NEED your help to colour in her life with a bit of light and beauty.

We are aiming high.  And we know that.  But t
hings have become desperate.  If I had not witnessed this, I wouldn't believe it could happen in such a prosperous country.  Amara can not only not afford her most basic requirements to exist - medication, organic food, cleaning and personal products, but even more alarming is that she has NO access to treatment even by a GP (she has no access to any doctors let alone a specialist).  One of the most gravely ill patients struck down with Lyme Disease and Co-infections in Australia has nobody treating her  because she cannot travel due to severe chemical allergies -  she is invisible.  How can this be possible in our country?  How can someone be allowed to squander  and left to fight ever increasingly dangerous symptoms without treatment or support?   I'm not ok with this and that is what this campaign is about.  I am afraid that Amara is going to give up and  I will not let that happen and I hope that you will rally with me to make some noise and really make a difference in Amara's life before it's too late.


What you get

For donations to Amara's cause you will receive:

Up to $50 - a massive virtual group hug and a shout out over social media for your contribution to Amara's cause;

$50 - $100 - a bookmark made from a peacock feather featuring all the colours that represent Amara's conditions and a big shout out to thank you via social media;

$100 - $200 - a framed print of the blog post 'I live in the last chapter' from Amara's blog 'Life like this';

$200 - $400 a bookmark made from a peacock feather featuring the colours that represent Amara's conditions and a choice of either a mug or a tote bag in two styles with The Amara Campbell Foundation Logo (see the photos to select style);

$400 - $700 - a framed print of the blog post 'I live in the last chapter' from Amara's blog 'Life like this' and a t-shirt featuring the Amara Campbell Foundation Logo which you can select in various styles for men and women (please see photos to make selection);

$700 - $1,000 - a t-shirt featuring the Amara Campbell Foundation Logo which you can select in various styles for men and women (please see photos to make selection) and a curated Milk coffee table book of Amara's most popular blog posts, photos and favourite quotes.

$1500 - $2000 - The Golden Prize was just for one special donor but as we had a lovely early claim on this, so we've decided to extend the perk to more donors.  The super prize pack; a video shout out via social media from Amara, a bookmark made from a peacock feather featuring the colours that represent Amara's conditions, a choice of either a mug or a tote bag in two styles with The Amara Campbell Foundation Logo (see the photos to select style), a t-shirt featuring the Amara Campbell Foundation Logo which you can select in various styles for men and women (please see photos to make selection) and a curated Milk coffee table book of Amara's most popular blog posts, photos and favourite quotes.

PS remember to think outside the box - you can band together with a few friends and make a group donation to help qualify for the rewards - then you'll have to fight over who gets what, but still the more you donate the more you are rewarded with gorgeous gifts.  And the bonus is you're helping someone in the process (check out Change for ME Australia the charity Amara co-founded with her very sick bestie Lee).


Other Ways You Can Help

We understand that not everyone can offer financial assistance and that’s more than ok.  There are other ways that you can help.  If you live locally and have any spare time perhaps you could consider offering a couple of hours a week to Amara’s family to help ease the burden.  Never underestimate your ability to help.  Time is just as valuable.  If you would like to assist Amara’s family please contact us at Aid4Amara@gmail.com

We know that people can be compassionate when they are aware of the struggle others face.  We also know that people suffer compassion fatigue, you see enough suffering and it's hard not to become numb or turn away.  But please do not turn away.  Amara doesn't get to turn away.  She has to get up and face this day after day, month after month, year after and year every moment getting harder and yet she still comes up with a reason to keep fighting.  You can help fight for her, be another voice and together we can make the world of difference to someone who not only needs it but also deserves it.

So please help Amara by sharing her story and this campaign.  Help us make some noise and get the word out about Amara's situation.


                              


FAQ

If you don't have a PayPal account and you would like to contribute to this campaign, there are two options we can suggest to you.  You can either ask your loved ones if they have an account you can utilise - ensuring they enter your shipping details in place of theirs - or you can email us on aid4amara@gmail.com and we will advise you on how to participate to ensure you don't miss out on these fabulous rewards.

Make sure you check out the Gallery by clicking on this link, to see more about Amara's story in pictures and videos:

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/help-save-am...


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Choose your Perk

♥ Warm fuzzies ♥

Currency Conversion $31 USD
$50 AUD
Up to $50 - a massive virtual group hug and a shout out over social media for your contribution to Amara's cause.
4 claimed

Bookmark + ♥ Warm Fuzzies ♥

Currency Conversion $63 USD
$100 AUD
$50 - $100 - a bookmark made from a peacock feather featuring the colours that represent Amara's conditions and a big shout out to thank you via social media.
3 claimed

Framed Blog Post

Currency Conversion $126 USD
$200 AUD
$100 - $200 - a framed print of the blog post 'I live in the last chapter' from Amara's blog 'Life like this.
1 claimed

Bookmark + a Tote bag or Mug

Currency Conversion $251 USD
$400 AUD
$200 - $400 a bookmark made from a peacock feather featuring the colours that represent Amara's conditions and a choice of either a mug or a tote bag in two styles with The Amara Campbell Foundation Logo (see the photos to select style).
0 claimed

Framed Blog + T-shirt

Currency Conversion $439 USD
$700 AUD
$400 - $700 - a framed print of the blog post 'I live in the last chapter' from Amara's blog 'Life like this' and a t-shirt featuring the Amara Campbell Foundation Logo which you can select in various styles for men and women (please see photos to make selection).
0 claimed

T-shirt + Curated Milk book

Currency Conversion $628 USD
$1,000 AUD
$700 - $1,000 - a t-shirt featuring the Amara Campbell Foundation Logo which you can select in various styles for men and women (please see photos to make selection) and a curated Milk coffee table book of Amara's most popular blog posts, photos and favourite quotes.
0 claimed

The Golden Prize

Currency Conversion $1,255 USD
$2,000 AUD
$1500 - $2000 - a video shout out via social media from Amara, a bookmark made from a peacock feather featuring the colours that represent Amara's conditions, a choice of either a mug or a tote bag in two styles and a t-shirt featuring the Amara Campbell Foundation Logo which you can select from various styles for men and women (please see photos to make selection) and a curated Milk coffee table book of Amara's most popular blog posts, photos and favourite quotes.
1 claimed

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