One out of every two adult Americans lives with at least one chronic illness (often called hidden illness). The disability community is the largest minority in the world. Yet, instead of feeling inclusive and wrapped in camaraderie, most of us feel alone, unvalued, and unworthy. We need doctors who understand us and colleagues and family members who believe us when we tell them something about our health. Just knowing the simple fact that they are not alone and still have much to offer can be life-changing.

While there are many different health-related nonprofit organizations, most of them are focused on creating research for the medical community – not so much for the person dealing with the problem. Few nonprofits are working with entrepreneurs who are trying to build their businesses successfully while suffering the daily aches, pains, social stigma, and lack of self-worth that comes from having a long-term illness that people don’t see.

If you aren't sure what a chronic illness is, here’s are just a few: 

Alzheimer's disease

Atrial fibrillation

Autoimmune diseases, such as ulcerative colitis, lupus erythematosus, Crohn's disease, coeliac disease, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, and relapsing polychondritis

Autism or Asperger's Syndrome

Blindness

Cerebral palsy

Chronic hepatitis

Chronic kidney disease

Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis

Chronic pain syndromes, such as complex regional pain syndrome

Endometriosis

Epilepsy

Fibromyalgia

Hypertension

Lyme Disease; Migraines

Multiple sclerosis

Myalgic encephalomyelitis (a.k.a. chronic fatigue syndrome)

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

Sleep apnea

Thyroid disease

and many more

With so many people in this country reeling from the challenges of these disorders, it has become a very serious problem from the standpoint of both inclusion and mental health. Something must be done. 

Society needs to better understand what it means to have a hidden chronic illness, and the medical community needs to know that just because we don’t fit the mold of what a disease usually looks like, doesn’t mean we’re faking.

At the same time, people with these issues also need to know they are not alone and that others not only GET what is happening but can lend an arm or a shoulder, an ear for listening and a mouth for comforting. 

That’s why we need your help. Your gift today can save someone who is deep in pain or mental anguish and open up a world of opportunities. 

Generous friends like you will enable us to support women who want nothing more than to be able to run their own businesses, make them successful, and thrive despite having chronic medical conditions and all that entails.

This in itself would be truly God-given, but we want to do more. We want to train doctors and nurses to understand and treat their patients better, establish more programs to support these women on their journey, and help us share our training programs with more entrepreneurs along the way. We are showing them that if they sit and wait for pigs to fly, nothing will happen. But by getting out there and doing our best, we can all make an impact.

Thank you in advance for helping us work toward changing these women's lives one person at a time!