Stories of Hope: Testimonials

Our Story: How the NELAD Foundation Changed Our Lives

From the moment Mary reached out to us, she became a lifeline. She didn’t just offer a grant… she offered hope. At a time when we felt overwhelmed, unseen, and unsure how we would continue providing the care our daughter Gianna so desperately needed, the NELAD Foundation stepped in. We suddenly didn’t feel so alone.

Our daughter Gianna, now four and a half, was diagnosed with chronic Lyme disease in May 2024. From birth, we knew something was wrong… she missed milestone after milestone, struggled with motor planning, had constant illness, extreme sensory sensitivities, minimal speech, and ongoing gut issues. We searched tirelessly for answers and finally connected with Lyme-literate providers, including Dr.##### and later Dr.######. The cost, however, was crushing… most of Gianna’s care is out of pocket, and we were barely making ends meet.

We were doing everything we could… my husband working multiple jobs, me stepping away from my nursing career to care for Gianna full-time… but it was never enough. When Mary told us we had been approved for grant assistance for Gianna’s treatment, it lifted an enormous weight off our shoulders.

That funding allowed us to move forward with Dr. #####, who focused on the neurological impacts of Lyme disease on Gianna’s developing brain. I could cry thinking about what happened next… Gianna began conversational speaking. Not just one-word requests, but back-and-forth conversations. The very thing I had prayed for night after night was unfolding before my eyes. To be able to sit in the car and have a real conversation with my daughter… it still feels like a miracle. That kind of breakthrough wouldn’t have happened without the support from the NELAD Foundation. It came at exactly the right time.

This foundation didn’t just help our daughter… they helped me too. For years, I’ve ignored my own chronic Lyme symptoms… brain fog, joint pain, fatigue, heart palpitations, and more. I kept pushing it off because I didn’t think I could take anything away from Gianna’s care. But with Mary’s encouragement, and the foundation’s recent grant approval for my own treatment, I’m finally taking that step. I’ve scheduled with Dr. ##### to begin my own healing, and I no longer feel selfish doing so. I know I need to be well to care for my children… especially Gianna, who still depends on me for every aspect of her recovery.

We’ve also faced serious environmental challenges… our previous home was contaminated with toxic mold, and we had to make the devastating decision to leave nearly all of our belongings behind and relocate to Florida. We’ve downsized to a small apartment, prioritizing health and healing over everything else. And through all of this, Mary has continued to check in. She has made us feel like family.

We are just one family, but I hope our story shows what a difference your foundation makes. The NELAD Foundation gave us more than financial help… they gave us light in one of the darkest chapters of our lives. The generosity of your donors has directly impacted our daughter’s speech, our family’s healing, and my ability to get the care I’ve long needed.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you. You are changing lives… ours included.

With deep gratitude,

Kristi and family