laughingatmynightmare:

If I’ve ever needed your reblog, it’s tonight.

Last week, I wrote about the incredible news that I’ll likely be receiving the new drug to stop the progression of my disease. It remains to be seen whether or not my insurance company will cover the ridiculously expensive drug, but so many of you left notes telling me you’d gladly donate to help me cover the costs. Your outpouring of support truly touched me, but it also inspired me to create the biggest project of my life.  

The concept is simple, but the impact we’ll create is enormous. As science rapidly progresses, more life-saving treatments are becoming available to people living with muscular dystrophy. It’s a fascinating, astounding time to be alive. But these treatments are no walk in the park. They require numerous trips to specific administering sites (think: big cities), hotel stays, time off of work, meals, gas, and more. Forget the fact that many treatments are exorbitantly priced; the out-of-pocket expenses alone can block individuals from receiving treatments.

We are going to change that.

I present to you, Laughing At My Nightmare’s “Medical Treatment Assistance” program.

We are creating a movement. I need all of us to come together to support the thousands of families who are dealing with the overwhelming stress of receiving these groundbreaking medical treatments.

As of today, individuals with any form of muscular dystrophy who are receiving ongoing medical treatment may apply to us for assistance with their medical travel expenses. We have a system in place that is designed to get as many people the assistance they need right away.

But here is the most important part: We can only do this with your help, which brings us to the shirts you see. We are launching a special line of shirts featuring the phrase “I love someone who is SMAzing!” to fund this new program. 100% of the proceeds from these sales will benefit our new Medical Treatment Assistance program.

The 40+ types of muscular dystrophy are harrowing diseases, but so often, the people who live with these diseases use their adversity to create strength. Living with my disease has taught me patience, empathy, and determination, and I am by no means unique in that way. This shirt is intended to celebrate the strong characters of the thousands of people who live with muscular dystrophy.

How can you help?

Buy some shirts! Buy five! Buy ten! Give them to friends. Remember: every shirt sold lets us help more people get the life-changing treatments that are becoming available.

Grab your shirts here: http://laughingatmynightmare.com/shop or if you prefer to simply donate to the effort: http://laughingatmynightmare.com/donate

But let’s really get this out into the world! Sharing this post is so powerful. Do you have contacts in media? Let’s hit them up! The only way this works is if we get this message out there in a huge way.

I truly believe we have the ability to make a big difference right now. From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank you. We are going to help so many people with this new program.