Hi. My name is Sharon Greenwell, founder of "Wishes and Rainbows".
In 1991, I was diagnosed with Arnold Chiari Malformation and Syringomyelia. Because of the rarity of these conditions, even though I had surgery to correct them, I spent nine and a half years never really knowing what I had, what the actual symptoms were, how it should be treated, what should be avoided, and warning signs of progression.
In November of 2000, I began having difficulties with my handgrip, increasing weakness in my legs, and pain in my right arm. I felt like my whole world had come to an end when I learned that I had massive scar tissue forming on the brain, and the brain was slumping, putting pressure on my brain stem and spinal cord. I started searching the Internet for information on these conditions, and found two wonderful groups that managed to restore some hope.
One of them was the American Syringomyelia Alliance Project. I was given so much information, encouragement and support, that when I was called on to do some volunteer work, I was thrilled at the opportunity to help pay them back for what they had given to me.
What was intended to be a few simple phone calls updating member's files, turned out to be an awakening, and experience I wouldn't forget. I was shocked at the stories of misdiagnosis, belittled symptoms, and lack of medical concern. So many were at a point of giving up with no hope of treatment and no financial means to get them to specialists.
It became my quest, of sorts, to see to it that no one had to surrender to these or any chronic condition because of a lack of proper care or financial funding. This determination, and the help and support of wonderful friends and family, has made "Wishes and Rainbows" a reality.
Daniel, Nadine, Sarah, Franny, David and Debbie ---- what a wonderful gift of love.
It is my sincere hope that we will be able to help make that special difference in someone's life.
Wishing you Rainbows,
Sharon
A rainbow is the grand finale of a storm
A ray of hope
The promise of a brighter tomorrow
A reminder that, in the midst of desperation
God is standing beside us
A rainbow radiates warmth and a smile
This page was last updated: May 27, 2010
