Your support gives individuals like Bernadette hope
For 10 years, Bernadette worked at a large hospital in New York City as a patient unit assistant—a job she loved.
But as her FOP symptoms progressed, she struggled to type on the computer, answer phones and walk between the floors of the hospital. Eventually, she made the difficult decision to leave her job once she could no longer perform her daily tasks.
Within months, she couldn’t drive, walk on her own, go up and down stairs or even hold a phone to her ear. The rapid loss of independence combined with the loss of a beloved job was overwhelming.
She had reached an emotional low when she received a call from Hope Newport and Melissa Davis, two members of the IFOPA Family Services team. Bernadette's brother had recently donated to the IFOPA in her honor, and when we didn't recognize her name as a person with FOP that was known to us, we reached out.
For Bernadette, that call was life-changing: “Once I met with Melissa and Hope, I instantly felt better. They introduced me to many other patients living with FOP, and I finally didn’t feel alone. They introduced me to the IFOPA website with so many helpful links, tools and reading materials.”
FOP has been such a difficult challenge, but I won’t let it stop me from living.”
—Bernadette
When individuals with FOP or families impacted by FOP first contact the IFOPA, Melissa and Hope reach out with a welcome call. For many families, it’s the first time talking to someone who understands the fear of a diagnosis, the stress of managing symptoms and the hopelessness of adapting to a new life.
Walking alongside families is a core pillar of our mission, and these welcome calls are a significant way our team cares for families.
“I needed help with finding a doctor to complete an at-home visit for my disability, and the first person I reached out to was Melissa,” Bernadette says. “I wasn’t as stressed as I could have been because I had her help. She went above and beyond to help me and I am so grateful for her and all the other IFOPA staff.”
Your support makes this life-changing support possible! When you give to the IFOPA, you’re making sure individuals like Bernadette have the support and resources they need to manage their symptoms and improve their daily living. Thank you for investing in the physical and emotional health of individuals with FOP!
