Treasurer / C E O
Nadine Sain
May we always take some time
to brighten the colors
of the rainbow
Hello. My name is Nadine Sain. Most of the "kids" around here call me "Ma", but just use my first initial (N) and the last name (SAIN) to get the name and description in the same thought (NSAIN).
Your physical health is sometimes the root cause of your mental health "leaving the building". Just convincing someone in the medical field that you are hurting could drive you crazy. "It's all in your head" was a phrase used by many doctors when the pain was real to a patient, but absolutely no physical cause could be determined by exams and x-rays. To influence the attitude of doctors and others that have no idea how chronic, consistent pain rules a persons life,could take more than wishes or rainbows.
At twenty-nine, scoliosis was finally the name doctors gave the culprit that haunted my life 24/7. After years of making adjustments, I've learned what to do and most important what not to do. Being your own doctor has its drawbacks, but at least you know how you feel.
One of my favorite things is the rainbow. The very concept of the rainbow should inspire people to reach beyond themselves to make a difference.
One of my favorite things is the rainbow. The very concept of the rainbow should inspire people to reach beyond themselves to make a difference.
One of my favorite people is Sharon Greenwell. I only intended to help with the paperwork for this organization, but after knowing some of the personal and financial sacrifices made by Sharon when she could use help herself. I'm totally into "Wishes and Rainbows".
My name is Sharon Greenwell, better known as "Grammy".
I have Arnold Chiari Malformation and Syringomyelia. I was diagnosed at the age of 39 in February, 1991, had my first decompression surgery in May of 1991, and spent the next month in and out of the hospital with complications, having a second decompression done in June of the same year.
Since then, I had been told I was fine, but I knew differently. In November of 2000, I learned that I now have massive scar tissue growing on my brain causing brain slump, putting pressure on my brain stem and spinal cord.
Although specialized care may not have prevented the situation completely, I believe it could have been caught in time to halt progression years ago.
Specialized care for these conditions is limited, and many times traveling great distances is required. The expenses can be overwhelming, and many times people are forced to decline specialized care because of the financial requirements. No one should suffer needlessly because of financial status, nor risk their own health, settling for non-specialized care.
Breathe in courage .......
Breathe out fear
President
Sharon Greenwell
Vice-President
Paula Crammer
Director of
Fundraising and Grant Writing
Paula Crammer
As a Chiari & Syringomyelia patient, I understand the need for any degree of hope that we may achieve for a better, pain free day of life. Allowing me to fundraise and grant write will only encourage me to use my ambitions to achieve the most inevitable goal of all. I am honored to help Wishes and Rainbows achieve every possible financial goal. Majority of everyone's pain is stress from bills. What better way to ease someone's mind, by helping with that financial burden. Getting the best proper medical attention is always helpful too. Let me help you get where you need to go! I look forward to working with everyone. Blessings of a pain free day.
As a Chiari & Syringomyelia patient, I understand the need for any degree of hope that we may achieve for a better, pain free day of life. Allowing me to fundraise and grant write has only encouraged me to use my ambitions to achieve the most inevitable goal of all. I am honored to help Wishes and Rainbows achieve every possible goal. Majority of everyone's pain is stress from bills. What better way to ease someone's mind, by helping with that financial burden. Getting the best proper medical attention is always helpful too. Let me help you get where you need to go! I look forward to working with everyone. Blessings of a pain free day.
In July 2011, I was voted in as Vice President for Wishes and Rainbows.
This page was last updated: September 22, 2011
Secretary
Sherry Martin
I was diagnosed in spring 1999 with Chiari Malformation when my daughter was only 8. As a single mom, the diagnosis was terrifying. There was no information about Chiari back then. Decompression November 1, 1999, was pretty successful. Plenty of people in my family had arthritis, scoliosis, and other Osteo issues. But no one had ever heard of Chiari. When I started having neurological issues again in 2010, I started surfing the web trying to self-diagnose since every doctor told me "lose weight, you'll feel better." That's when I found W&R and Chiari International. I was shocked that there was an online group and a charity devoted to Chiari. I cannot tell you how wonderful it was to realize that I wasn't alone. I volunteered to help with W&R to give back in some small way. If my personal experience can help even one person - patient or family member - then what I have suffered through was not an affliction, but a blessing. I am now married (my husband is disabled due to major spinal problems so understands a little about my issues). My daughter is now in the Army National Guard, a bartender, and waitress. My family has always been there to support me. I have been blessed!
