Imagine what it would feel like to cry, but have no tears.

Imagine trying to eat without being able to swallow your food.

Imagine waking up in the morning without being able to get out of bed.

Imagine a mouth full of cavities and sores because your own saliva wasn’t around to protect…

This is my life and only a few of the symptoms I already have or will develop in my future.

Sjögren’s (pronounced "SHOW-grins") is a disease that affects women predominantly in their late 40’s and 50’s, however, I was just diagnosed this past year when I turned 20. Sjögren’s patients struggle with extreme dryness in their salivary glands and tear ducts, which can eventually affect the internal organs, nervous system and even cause malignant lymphoma. Typically patients with Sjögren’s also suffer from more than one autoimmune disease.

For further info about Sjögren’s visit: http://www.sjogrens.org/

When I started college, almost 2 years ago, I began to notice some changes in my overall health. Since that small amount of time, I’ve developed: Hashimoto's Thyroiditis—which began with a 20 lb. weight loss, an activation of my Raynaud’s Syndrome that I’ve had, but it has worsened significantly—affecting circulation in my extremities and causing a sensitivity to coldness, Fibromyalgia—extreme achiness, fatigue and muscle weakness, Sjögren’s—as described above along with overall joint pain. Then, recently a development of a mild case of Neuropathy.

All of these diseases are autoimmune for which there is no cure. However, the Sjögren’s Syndrome Foundation will be having a 4th Annual Greater Washington Region Sjögren’s Walkabout on May 30th to raise money and awareness. Your generous contribution will not only help patients like myself who struggle with these diseases, but will also help the numerous doctors and researchers who are working towards a cure.

Although I have tried to keep my personal struggles to myself up until now, I feel it is time to tell my story so I can hopefully help and maybe prevent others from the continuous struggles I will probably have to deal with for the rest of my life.

My mom and I will be walking on behalf of the 4 million Sjögren’s patients and 3 million who have not been properly diagnosed. Join our team or make a contribution to help bring us closer towards finding a cure!

Thanks so much!

Love, 

Paula

TO DONATE: you may upload below or mail Paula or Bonnie a personal check, made out to SSF, Attention: Greater Washington Region Walkabout. (Mail to: 22006 White Trellis Lane, Boyds, MD 20841)

UPDATE (June 10, 2009):

The response I have gotten from sharing my story is so amazing. You have all truly touched my heart.

This is a journey I will never really consider complete; I hope that what I have started will continue exponentially. For the next month, I will still be collecting donations on this site and I want to collect as much as I can. If you have already contributed, don’t hesitate to donate some more and if you haven’t already, I would love your support! 

Please pass my story onto your family and friends…People all over the world deserve to learn and understand Sjogren’s Syndome because the more that people know, the more that people can help.

With lots of love, 

Paula Sosin

pbs@udel.edu 

Thank you for visiting my fundraising page!

Donating through this website is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to support my fundraising efforts.

Many thanks for your support -- and don't forget to forward this to anyone who you think might want to donate too!