Dear Friends & Family,
My name is Rae Bu. My fight against a disabling and debilitating painful auto-immune disease has brought me to this starting this fundraiser. After much speculation and different medical testing in Thailand, Japan and the U.S., I have finally been officially diagnosed with an autoimmune disease that has been plaguing my life for nearly 3 years. As you can see in the photo, my hand and fingers, and less visible my wrist, have been permanently swollen for almost 3 years. My fingers are becoming crippled and disabled. Despite my spouse and my focused effort of a combination of Eastern and Western treatments, focus on diet, emphasis on restful treatments and high exercise level, it is time for me to go on a more aggressive western medicine, to counteract the aggressive and increasing symptoms of this illness. This disease does not currently have a cure, but it can go into remission and my doctor ensured me their is hope for recovery but I must act to not only decrease my daily suffering, but hault what could become permanent damage and that will only worsen if let untreated. If you know me, you know I am passionate to live. I live with a gusto and sincerity, balanced with humor & the love to relax. My philosophy is “youth is a lifestyle.” Oh dear friends, I have fought, and supported my body and being deeply with the utmost priority. It is not enough. My pain increases as my energy wains, while I plug myself into the capitalist machine, drowning out the aches with medication. I feel like I am losing the battle; drowning. As scary and outright costly as this starting this procedure may be, little is scarier than losing use of a limb or worse the disease creeping into my eyes, heart, spine or elsewhere. The reality is, despite my successes I am deeply suffering. Since September 2022, my left hand, fingers and wrist are constantly swollen and inflamed causing distress and difficulty with everyday tasks starting with sleeping, eating, cooking, dressing, opening a door and continuing into my professional live as a teacher/trainer and visual & performing artist. My general quality of life has decreased greatly. The doctor has now prescribed and injection that must be taken twice per month for a year, or maybe 6 months if Rae’s body responds quicker or longer if necessary, but hopefully not forever, my crippled fingers crossed. In the U.S, the cheapest generic brand of the medication costs $550 dollars per month and is a necessary treatment in returning to full use of my hand, wrist and fingers and living pain and deformity free. Thus far, one x-ray of my hand has been taken but another is needed of my chest with the cost of that being projected $150-300+. It’s the U.S. so unlike the “menu style” super-accessible and affordable healthcare in Thailand and Japan, a mystery bill will be sent to me by the doctor’s office sometime soon. Oh, goodie! One of my clients has covered (required) a TB test which I passed. I still need to pass a HEP test in order to qualify for this certain option of injectable medication. I will need to continue with frequent blood tests and bi-monthly injections costing thousands of dollars, regardless of where I get the treatment. There is still hope for recovery. Also please know, I am very happy! I also feel so lucky and blissed out to be myself and to know all of you. I feel healthy other than this disability and I am doing my best out here! I stay active with teaching and practicing yoga at Inner High, Performing with the Dance Crew “Livia” (lee-vah), and cycling with Aytan and all around the city. Playing guitar and piano with Duzt has been super difficult because of this injury to my hand/wrist and fingers, but I can still sing! I teach and train students age 5-97 in English as a Second Language, and train my yoga clients of all ages. Ayt and I are focused on eating an anti-inflammatory diet. I can’t wait for the day when it doesn’t hurt me to edit my websites, sew, paint, play guitar or even just hold a water bottle or the grip of my bicycle handlebars. Do you love your hands? I know I do and I truly miss using them both to their healthiest pain-free ability. I am so thankful to the Booth St. Family, Dance Team and Biological family too. Thank you especially to my dad, Randy, my friends/sisters Trina, Shula and Kelsey, my vibrant niece, Nora and and 17-year-old bestie, my cat, Phinny. Thank you most of all to my spouse, my husband, my best friend, Aytan for seeing me through everything. Anyway, if you just like donating feel free. I will also have a fundRAEser on Aug.16 10am-6pm in which Trina and I will sell clothing, drinks, photographs, paintings, plants and more for a $5 donation. Please consider donating $5, or any amount that you can offer, towards the $8,000 goal to cover costs of x-rays, medicine, and appointments this next year and you can receive a free drink, portrait, clothing item or art from Rae.
If you do not wish to receive any item for your donation, I thank you kindly for your loving gift.
Thank you so much, dear friends and family.
