31/08/2021
In a time of such great need for so many it's understandable that so many of us have compassion fatigue. But Millie Hardiman's story is very personal to me. At the beginning of this year I received an unusual letter from a very remarkable young women. At the age of 13, Millie was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease that progressed into neurological dysfunction that nearly killed her. Even today, at age 20, Millie weighs less than she did at the age of ten. She had read my book, Bringing Yoga to Life, and wondered if I might be able to help her.
I made the decision to fly to Dunedin to spend the weekend with her and her mother. Having a severe case of Ehlers- Danlos syndrome, which has created hypermobility and instability throughout her body, I have never seen anyone during my many years of teaching so compromised. I had also never met a yoga student so disciplined about her diet and daily practice!
As it turns out, neither diet or yoga are likely to help Millie unless she can receive life-saving surgery to correct a vascular compression that is affecting blood flow to her vital organs. This has also left Millie in constant, severe, pain. Even drinking water hurts and sleeping through the night is an impossibility.
A few days ago her mother began a Give-a-Little Fund to pay for her and her daughter to travel to Germany to receive medical treatment. There's lots of us on this page . . . if 10,000 of us gave as little as $5.00 it would meet the bulk of their expenses to make this trip.
Let's show Millie what kind of heart the yoga community has and give a little or a lot to her fund.
May we all live without suffering. May we all be well.
https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/help-millie-get-life-saving-surgery-in-germany