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Support Mark & Na'Cole...
Hello!
We are Mark and Na'Cole Vanderwarf.
Thank you for stopping by our page to consider our situation.
As we’ve journeyed through the realization of Na’Cole’s disability, learning to manage her invisible and chronic illnesses, and reaching her physical limitations, we have come to a point where we find ourselves falling short and spreading ourselves thin. So, we are reaching out and asking for helping hands to come alongside us.
Mark is juggling work full time and all the household items, as well as caring for most, sometimes all, of Na’Cole’s daily needs. It would be an absolute blessing to Mark to have help with some household items from time to time and for someone to sit and aid Na’Cole when Mark is working, has a networking event, a meeting away from home, or serves at church on Sundays. Also long-term poor health circumstances can lead to isolation, so a visit with Na’Cole, as well as one with both Mark and Na’Cole from time to time, would also be a blessing!
We would greatly appreciate your helping hands. Please make yourself at home here and explore the site to learn more about how you can support your friends.
Thank you for your time and considerations!
Founder
Founder
Mark & Na'Cole
BLOG
Life Updates
Occipital Nerve Update and Prayer Request…
Hi All!
On Monday I had my follow up from my nerve block procedure. Due to the way I’m responding to it, I’ll need to get a nerve block every 3 months. And we’re going to add botox injections to my neck in the new year. If that doesn’t work well after a couple of rounds, I’ll have to consider an ablation, where they will go in and burn/kill the nerve. The pain response to that is high and healing time is slow, but then it’s just done.
Intellectually, I’ve been fine about it this week, but it started to set in today that I’ll be missing out on Christmas stuff with everyone and our church, again. My next nerve block procedure is on December 15th.
And, as I was writing this, I had to remember that it is just “Stuff”. Moving forward, I’ll get to guard my thoughts to keep my heart safe from making things and events surrounding our Christmas celebrations an idol. It’s all an opportunity to reflect on our Gift of Salvation in Jesus through God Almighty, with or without the fanfare.
Isn’t Salvation far more important and beautiful compared to anything else?
Would you join me in praying for my situation and mindset in Christ through the upcoming holidays? That I cling desperately and dearly to our Lord, keeping my focus on Him and His Truth, praising Him all the day long?
May God have all the glory! Thankful for Y’all!! Much Love 💕 🤗
P.S. I’m praying for each of you and your holiday plans and blessings! 💕🙏🏼💕
Types of needs we have
Service Opportunities
How You Can Help
Visit with Na'Cole
Encouraging one another - Wednesday & Friday afternoons
2hrs
Home Help for Mark & Na'Cole
Helping Hands - Friday or Saturday
1.5hrs Men & Women welcomed
Meals for the Vanderwarf Family
Meal Delivery - occasional provisions & eats (Mark's Surgery on 12/20 & 6-12 week early recovery stage)
15mins
Transportation for Na'Cole
Appointments - pickup or drop off on Thursdays
20mins
Visit with Mark and Na'Cole
Friendly faces and edify - one Saturday a month
2hrs
Sitter for Na'Cole
Help and assist - AM & PM time slots
3hrs
Remote Visit with Na'Cole
Sweet Reunions - digital smiles & catch up once a month
2hrs
there is Opportunity Almost Daily to help
Welcome To OUr Home
Our Journey
We've been married since January 2011 and knew there was something not quite right with Na'Cole's health in 2012. Unfortunately, in 2013, we realized that we had to start advocating for her health to figure out the root cause of her increasingly concerning flareups and source of constant pain when she had to start scaling back in work, serving her church in many capacities, and from social activities. It's been a long, nonlinear road to answers, with hopes of recovery, all to uncover her genetic disorder, which led to additional subsequent chronic illnesses.
In 2017, we finally found out that Na'Cole was born with a rare genetic disorder called Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, affecting her body systemically. Her condition is progressively degenerative and has caused additional and related disorders.
In October 2022, Na’Cole was diagnosed with a related autonomic nervous system dysfunction called POTS and began treatments for the major flareup. After further testing, in January 2023 her doctors confirmed that she is also dealing with a reactive Mast Cell situation and began treatment for MCAS.
There are no cures.
Since Christmas 2022, Na’Cole has been learning to manage these new chronic disorders, applying what to do at home and best physiotherapy practices. She graduated from Cardiac Rehab for POTS in March 2023 and continues to strive to maintain her progress, working out on physical therapy equipment while being surrounded by healthcare professionals. However, she struggles with exercise intolerance and continues to deal with fainting and pre-fainting symptoms in addition to her daily struggles with EDS, chronic pain, and fibromyalgia. Though some symptoms currently can be more predictable, all of this greatly limits Na’Cole, continuing to leave her homebound and often bedridden.
Therefore, any and all the extra help, prayers, and visits would be amazing.
Thank you for reading our journey, thus far.
God bless!
Prayer
If We Come To Mind...
Prayers are always appreciated. We may also post requests and praises from time to time, and ask that you join in.
“… praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,”
Ephesians 6:18
Further Ways to Support
Gift Ideas
Messages
Messages and cards are a welcomed treat. Na'Cole would love to hear from you!
e-Gifts
Gift Cards or Venmo can be used to provide a meal or for simply giving.
Wishlist
Wishlists are helpful for knowing exactly how to support one another.
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Thanks For Following Along
Thank you for visiting our page and considering to lend a helping hand.
We really appreciate it. We also truly covet your prayers.
Both are an immeasurable blessing to us.
You can keep up with us through Na's social links below.
We look forward to seeing you at church and when we're able to gather in person throughout the week to live life alongside one another,
Lord willing.
In all we do and in every circumstance, may God have the glory!
