I am a singer-songwriter, performing artist and private chef who, in the summer of 2022, experienced a horrible life altering health crisis.  This is my story.

Every waking moment of my life had quickly turned into agonizing pain and torment.  It felt as if I was trapped in a torture chamber with no hope of escape.  The worst part?  I had no idea what was happening. I couldn’t move, I couldn’t do anything on my own.  I laid motionless on the couch as I fought with every bit of energy I had left to keep the fear of the worst from consuming me.

My health was crashing down at a frightening pace.  From the outside, my situation probably looked hopeless, but deep in my heart there was a small, quiet and patient feeling telling me not to give up.  The answers were out there.  I just had to find them. 

And so I did the only thing I could do.  I prayed. I pleaded for help, for guidance, for answers.  In that state of pain induced, sleep deprived delirium, I waited.  I did everything I could to cultivate a feeling of hope and to convince myself that this was all happening for a reason and that I would come out on the other side.  

In an attempt to distract myself from this horrible reality that I had found myself in, I picked up my phone and opened Instagram.  The very first post I saw hit me in the gut like a ton of bricks.  Staring back at me was a picture of a young woman in a wheelchair and with the caption, “I was floxed after being given Cipro.” 

I froze.  I was given Cipro. Immediately I began scouring the internet to learn everything I could and although I tried to deny it, I could feel the truth looming over me.   

“Cipro” is a Fluoroquinolone, a class of antibiotics which have several FDA issued blackbox warnings due to the possibility of severe, debilitating side effects. 

This realization set me on my path to do anything and everything I could to recover.  I was overwhelmed.  There was very little information readily available about this condition and what to do to treat it.  Many doctors didn’t even know this could happen, and the few that did were either out of country, or very expensive.

By some miracle,  I was able to find a way to get regenerative treatments that helped pull me out of the downward spiral and kickstart my healing journey. (More Information)

It’s been almost 2 years since my symptoms escalated as if a bomb went off in my body, and not a day goes by where I am not doing everything I can to recover fully and build back my life.  The trauma from those darkest moments is still heavy, but every day I try find ways to make it a little lighter.  

I have made incredible progress from where I was.  At my worst I was experiencing 70+ symptoms, and now I can count the ones I am still dealing with on one hand.  I can confidently say that the last 2 years of climbing out of this nightmare have been the most difficult and testing time of my life.  

There was a moment that is imprinted in my memory that I still think about everyday.  I was in the worst of the worst pain flair, bed bound for weeks, and needing assistance to even take a sip of water.  I couldn’t walk, I couldn’t use my hands, it hurt to breathe and I was consumed by the worst fear and anxiety I’ve ever felt. I opened my eyes after a long period of trying to keep them shut and looked out the window.  The leaves had started to turn to a beautiful rich red color and the sunlight was peaking through.  I was overcome with tears of joy.  I broke down.  I was so thankful that despite everything I was going through, I could still see.  I still had my vision.  It was the first time in as long as I could remember that I felt a feeling of hope. That feeling was undeniable.  The most beautiful part?  When this feeling washed over me, the pain I was in let up ever so slightly. On a scale of 1 through 10 it was like my pain went from a 9.8 to a 9.7, but that microscopic relief was glorious. 

It was at that moment that I realized that the smallest improvements, the most simple blessings, and even a glimpse of a good feeling was going to be my guide to help me find my way out of this nightmare.  I could make a full recovery,  I just had to keep celebrating the little wins.

Celebrate The Little Wins offers targeted support, resources, and education to individuals affected by Fluoroquinolone Toxicity. We strive to alleviate the isolation and confusion that often accompanies this condition by providing reliable information and a supportive community. Our activities are designed to empower individuals to manage their health effectively and advocate for themselves in their recovery journey.

Our Vision is to create a world where no one faces Fluoroquinolone Toxicity alone. We aim to be a beacon of hope and a source of strength, advocating for greater awareness and better healthcare responses to this condition. By expanding our reach and deepening our impact, we envision a future where comprehensive support and advanced and effective treatment strategies are readily accessible to all those in need.

Whether you’re someone who has been affected by Fluoroquinolone Toxicity, a healthcare professional, or simply someone who wants to support our cause, there are many ways to get involved. From sharing your story to making a donation, your participation makes all the difference. Together, we can spread awareness, support one another, and advocate for positive change. Join us today and help us turn small victories into monumental triumphs.

As we embark on this journey with Celebrate The Little Wins, we envision a future where our dedicated movement could evolve into a widely recognized nonprofit organization. This transition would expand our capabilities to serve those affected by Fluoroquinolone Toxicity more effectively, enabling us to access broader resources, engage in more extensive advocacy, and offer enhanced support services.

If you share our vision and believe in the transformative power of community, we invite you to join us now. Get involved, share this website, purchase merchandise and wear it on social media, and make a donation. Your support at this foundational stage is crucial, not only to sustain our current efforts but also to help us grow into a nonprofit that can further elevate our mission. Together, we can turn hope into action and make a lasting impact.