Join Me:
Instagram: @lrherbst

Illness: portal vein thrombosis w/cavernous transformation of the portal vein, spina bifida, diagnosed at birth

Who I am: An animal lover, a coffee addict, a family-oriented woman, someone who would do anything for anyone in need.

A little more: I am a special needs educator, a career I chose so that I can do my best to fully support, love, inspire, and motivate my students. This is not just a career for me. It is a large part of who I am. I am deeply passionate about being there for others who may need a little extra love and care to thrive.

While I’ve dealt with my own illnesses throughout my life, my most life-changing experience with illness, and one of our family’s biggest illness-related devastations was when my sister, Robin, was diagnosed with breast cancer. I knew I had to be there for her to give her the endless love and support she needed during her most difficult moments. She was a newlywed, a soon to be doctor of psychology and now also a cancer patient. My brave older sister’s world soon filled with endless hospital visits, chemo, radiation, surgeries, and painful recoveries. My family and I had never been more scared for our Robin. We did everything we could to try to help her to feel less alone.

It has been some years since that moment when all of our lives changed. Our family has learned a lot about lifestyle changes that we have made in our own ways. For me, this taught me that life is sacred. Life is short. We should all be here for one another to support each other, to love each other, and to build each other up. It has become my mission to help others with chronic illnesses to receive the support they need, to have a hand to hold and an ear to listen, to help those in need feel less alone.

Join Me:
Instagram: @lrherbst