Your Sleepy AVON Lady: Struggles of a Disabled American

Hi Rachel, I wish you the best. Having Fibromyalgia, back problems, sleep apnea, being tested soon for narcolepsy, depression, a hole in my heart that eventually led to a mini stroke and allergies, I really understand what you are facing. Life is a major challenge everyday! Since most of these problems are ones that the normal person can't see they tend to believe you are faking. They don't understand how much energy it takes just to get out of bed. May God Bless you and your husband! Samanta

What an inspiration you are! Your story is so amazing and anyone that reads this should find motivation in anything they strive to do! I wish you all the good things in life! You are amazing!

Oh wow, Rachel, I had no idea you were dealing with so much. It's a shame when those who want to be self-sufficient but cannot, for whatever reason, is denied help, but cheaters seem to get it like that *snapping fingers*. I hope it doesn't sound cliche, but you and your husband hang in there, hopefully things will get better soon. I wish you so much luck in reaching your goal. Love and gentle hugs, your fibro sis, Kenyatta.

Please Vote by clicking Inspiring, Useful and/or Funny above. I love and appreciate all of U very much for helping me make my dreams come true!

Love, Rachel

Update to add: Ken now works at Dollar General in The Colony, so he is now employed, but we have to find a place to live now for $600 a mo or less.

Thanks so much!

Hi Rachel, I prayer for you and all of us that fight all the pains and suffering we go through, but your's sounds worse than the rest of us. I really do understand what it is like, I have spent up to 9 hours sleeping during the day, right now that doesn't seem to be the case, but oh the aches and pains in the muscles, I don't know ablut you but I try everything from massages, acupunture, accupressure, and I refuse to take the pain pills. My blessings and prayers are with you. Love Ya girl Karren

Rachel~~ You are truly the most inspiring person I know!! I am so happy that we have become such great friends!! If you ever need anything, I am here for you always!! Hugs, Traci

I have voted for you I believe as you have inspired all of us here! You are a true Diva and the Diva Within sister society is glad to have you part of our social network! Much love to you girlie and may God Bless you always!

Hey Rachel, Your details of your life are very inspiring. Just remember you have received some powerful blows but you are still standing.When we get knocked down we have to get up and keep going. You hang in there girl, there absolutely is a light at the end of the tunnel.

I might just drive my tractor out there to see how y'all are doing one day.

GOD BLESS YOU BOTH,

Frank DeLoach

Rachel,

So glad I got to meet you with Emily. Good luck..Debbie

I am an employee of Avon Products and Rachel is a Representative in my District. I met Rachel in March of 2007. Since the day I met Rachel, I fell in love! She is truly my hero. Rachel is not able to drive due to her Narcolepsy and has many other health challenges. In spite of all this, Rachel achieved President's Club her first year, a prestigious sales level with Avon. For those of you reading her story, I want you to know how much I admire and respect her! Please VOTE for RACHEL!!!

Rachel, Never give up on your dreams. You and your husband are in my prayers. YOU CAN DO IT!!

Hi Rachel,

I will never understand why Fibromyalgia and other conditions are so hard to get SSI or SSDI for when I know of people with Diabetes who never have to work again.

Having Fibromyalgia, arthritis in my feet, along with back and shoulder injuries I know how difficult it can be to get traditional work.

I hope that you and your husband get the opportunity to start a LABC.

God Bless.

Rebecca

Best wishes to you! Your strong spirit despite your obstacles is encouraging. You deserve only the best and I admire your drive and determination. Prayers and hugs from one chronic chick to another

Melissa

@multitaskingme

Hi Rachel,

I know you are an amazing woman just because I knwo how debilitating Narcolepsy can be. The fact taht you are buyilding a successful business is just a testiment to your never give up attitude. I am sure you will have your own store whether you win this grant or not. But I can think of few people more deserving then you.

hello Rachel, I too have a variety of diseases and have fought with SSI so I know how you are struggling. I have uncontrollable high blood pressure , depression, COPD, rheumatoid arthritis and asthma. Yet I cannot recieve any help. I will pray for you and your husband that you can achieve your dream.

Rachel, hang in there! I am a DSM for AVON and I am here to tell you that Avon can make those dreams come true. I have Fibromyalgia, migraines, degenerative arthritis, possible MS and chronic pain. Only a fellow sufferer truly knows what we go through. You fight and you fight with all you've got and you will come through on the winning end. I am rooting for you!! Thank you for your story. You are an inspiration.

Rachel, you are an inspiration to anyone with a disability. But so much more because of the multiple disabilities you deal with on a daily basis. I have been dealing with my son's disabilities for 25 years, a lifelong commitment. So, I can relate to what you say. I do support your Avon business because my daughter, who met you in a group, told me about your situation. I order for all my friends from your site pretty frequently. I wish you all the best and hope you receive your grant. LOL

You are such an inspiration Rachel with what you have to go through on a daily basis. I really truly hope that you get the grant to open your own LABC because that will be awesome! I wish you and your husband the best of luck and hope things keep looking up for you guys!

Tiffany Santo

Bless you, Rachel. You are truly inspirational, and I will pray that you win. I know that my little prayer won't count for much, but I believe everything helps that is coming from someone who really cares. I wish you the best for always.

Hi Rachel you are such an amazing person.I will pray for you and I hope you win.I am so glad I met you on Autoimmune angels.You are such an inspiration to me.You keep going no matter what life throws at you.I wish you all the best.Lots of hugs,Terri

You know I love you, and I am sorry life has been so tough for us, Rachel, but together I know we can make it though most anything. Look at what we've survived so far: a foreclosure, your disabilities, I lost my job, and yet we are still standing. I love you for your beautiful heart and soul, how you treat everyone with grace and respect. You're the epitome of extraordinary, and God knows you deserve your dreams to come true more than anyone else on Earth. Forever yours, Ken

Hey Rachel, I just voted...............I hope your dream comes true........

Hugs,

Dorothea Jo ann Palmore

Rachel ~ Thanks for sharing your inspiring story. As I read it, I asked God to give me a scripture for you. I got Philippians 4:13 -- "For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need." (New Living Translation) Remember that. Nevertheless, through it all, you ARE a winner. I'll keep you in my prayers daily.

Hugs -- Erma

Rachel, What an inspiration you are to me and many people. You are a true testament of what is possible when you dream big and know God is blessing your life. He has your future planned for you and I pray he will reveal it to you

soon. Blessings to you and your husband for I pray things will happen that are even bigger than yourself. Keep always looking up and know God is walking with you daily! NOT I BUT CHRIST! Blessings, Jarina Matamoros

Hi Rachel,

You may have done this already, but be sure to contact your congressman. They may be able to significantly help you through the process and guide you to other resources.

All the best!

Rachel

God Bless you and your Family. I am a DSM in CA. I love your advice to other. You will get there. Your dreams will come true. you have a very inspiring amazing story.. You will be in my prayers.. I will be waiting to see you in the Rep times when you have your grand opening... Lorrie G.

I read your story on my social network and was inspired by your courage back then. We all think our problems are so great and our ability to solve them so limited but then we read something like this and realize we are really very blessed and should be marveling in gratitude rather than wallowing in self-pity. Thank you for giving us a reality check! Good luck in all your future endeavors.

Rachel, I read your story on my social network and was inspired by your courage back then. We all think our problems are so great and our ability to solve them so limited but then we read something like this and realize we are really very blessed and should be marveling in gratitude rather than wallowing in self-pity. Thank you for giving us a reality check! Good luck in all your endeavors.

(had to resubmit this because I didn't select "inspirational"... sorry)

hi Rachel,I have voted for you I believe as you have inspired all of us here! You are a true Diva and the Diva Within sister society is glad to have you part of our social network! Much love to you girlie and may God Bless you always!

Hai rachel

God bless u ..........i wish u the best.

A strong mind always hopes, and has always cause to hope.

-Thomas Carlyle

May God richly bless your dream and bring it to fruition.

Hi Rachel, I am your new friend from WFAA/FB. Your story is incredible and

definitely inspiring. I have som disabilities, but my son has multiple disabilities.

He has been thru many challenges in life and it will make one humble. I, too

have fibro. so I can relate that part with you. As others, I don't want to sound

redundant, but with your attitude and sincerity, you will come out a winner.

Keep that smile up, it will pay off.

Hi Rachel, I know all too well, what you are going through! I too have been through the exact same thing. I fought social security from 1980 to 1996 I was finally given my SSI in late 1996. Then I married my husband and together we have 6 kids 5 of which lived at home and Social Security was taken from me because my husband made50.00 too much. At that time, we were living on 126.00 a week but that was too much. They do not count the fact you have children when they take your Social security away. I applied at many jobs after they took my social Security but no one would hire me I was too much of an insurance risk. Finally gave up several years back fighting Social Security. I could not even get hires doing a sit down job. I have arm and hand disabilities and several others. Well I finally started my own Jewelry business. It takes me longer to make each beautiful piece but I find so much joy in making Jewelry. I really pray you can win this grant, open your own business, and experience the joy of it. It still angers my husband that they took my SSI that should have been my money but they do not see it that way. It seem that the disabled here in the U.S.A are truly the Lowman on the totem pole and that is such a shame Debi

Deb, It is totally a shame that we are treated this way. It makes me feel worse than I already do. If I do win, by the graciousness of my friends and The Lord, I want to start my own Non-Profit Org for those just like us, America's Forgotten. America's Forgotten would help reform Social Security Disability; I want to lobby in DC with the big dogs and convince them that I/We could be their adult children. We should NEVER go hungry, without necessary medical care, RXs, food, or shelter, but we do.

Hi Rachel! Your story is truely inspiring! I hope that someday I can be more of an inspiration like you are. I'm 32 yrs old and I have severe arthritis in my back, TMJ, insomnia, sleep apnea and (saving the best for last) Borderline Personality Disorder which includes self-injury. I have been where you are with Social Security. Thankfully, my parents got me a lawyer and she fought the fight for me. I hope to get to know you better and maybe we can help each other. God Bless! -Charlene

I found a new friend in Rachel... and an unexpected hero.

I've followed you and your story for a while now and if anyone deserves this, it is YOU! I hope your dream comes true!

Rachel,

I'm praying for you. Both for your physical problems and for you to get your grant. You certainly deserve it.

good luck, chronic illness can take all hope out of you, but there is a stronger power that can give you strenght in times of despair and weakness. God Bless you~

Hi I just saw your picture on DirectMatches. Are you making money there? If not don't give up because I am. You should write a book!

Hi, wish you all the best, you can do it, you go girl.