Help us find a cure for Transverse Myelitis

Let me introduce myself. My name is Cathy and I am the mother of three wonderful young children: Matthew, Kevin and Rachel. Our lives were changed forever on October 9, 1999 when Rachel (who was 6 1/2 months old at the time) woke up and was paralyzed from the neck down. She spent 18 days in the hospital where she was diagnosed with Transverse Myelitis. In Rachel’s case, doctors feel the virus she had at the time caused her immune system to attack her spinal cord, causing her spinal cord injury. Thankfully, Rachel has regained the use of her arms, but she remains totally paralyzed from the waist down. The prognosis for Rachel is uncertain; as it is for everyone who contracts TM.

Rachel’s birthday is March 24th. In honor of her birthday, her brothers, Matthew and Kevin, launched the inaugural Reading for Rachel Program in March 2000. Matthew and Kevin are starting a tradition in honor of their sister, and we are hoping that you will become a part of this tradition by participating in this wonderful learning experience. All funds received by The Transverse Myelitis Association for the Reading for Rachel Program will be used exclusively for research to better understand TM, to find treatments for the symptoms of TM, and to ultimately find a cure.

Matthew and Kevin are asking other students to help raise funds to support TM research by finding sponsors who will pledge and pay for each of the books they read during the month of March. Not only does this project provide research funds for The Transverse Myelitis Association, but it provides wonderful lessons about life and educational opportunities for all who participate.

The Reading for Rachel Program raised more than $9,000 in 2003 for TM research. We are very grateful for everyone who participated in our program and for making such a wonderful difference for so many deserving people. If you are a teacher, a student or a parent of a student and would like to establish the Reading for Rachel Program in your school, everything you will need to get the program started can be found on our web site:

http://www.readingforrachel.org/

Reading for Rachel will take place in Worthington Estates Elementary School beginning on November 17 th this year. Pauline Siegel is a second grade teacher in this school near Columbus, Ohio. Rachel and I help to kick off the program each year at Worthington Estates, and we will do so again this year. It is wonderful to meet all of the students and teachers. It is a great opportunity for us to help bring awareness about TM and to help these young people better understand something about paralysis.

My husband, Dan, and I are so proud of our sons for starting this wonderful annual project in honor of their sister, Rachel. It gives them a real sense of purpose as we patiently wait for Rachel’s uncertain recovery. We are most appreciative of your support of the Reading for Rachel Program and The Transverse Myelitis Association. Your generosity and caring offers hope to Rachel and to the many other children and adults with TM.

Cathy Dorocak
Rachel’s Mom
And National and International Chair of the Reading for Rachel Program
cathy[AT SIGN]readingforrachel.org
(440) 572-5574