Dear Editor,
I have Huntington’s. It is a neurologic disorder that attacks my brain. I was just informed of this while going to nursing school. My mother had Huntington’s and when school started to become stressful I would notice symptoms arise. The neurologist at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center told me I could not continue with the nursing program or continue working as an x-ray tech/MRI tech as the stress will give me irreversible symptoms of Huntington’s. Also my brain is too compromised and I could be a danger to my patients.
I spent three weeks crying. Then I sent the word out to the community of Chittenden. (There were a lot of people praying for me to do well in the nursing program. And I did not want anyone to ask about it.)
Nancy Boynton stopped by with her son Shawn. I told them, all my cost of living loans had run out and I wouldn’t be able to pay my mortgage in two weeks. And I had run out of food. I was growing hopeless.
But she told me I wasn’t alone and there are people who will help.
Food showed up on my door the next day. The Chittenden Community Association called and asked if they could help. I received food baskets, cards, calls, and even money.
Nancy Boynton went to local businesses and they gave donations for baskets. Neighbors gave donations. Nancy Boynton also started a “Benefit for ED Dulli” and it was a miracle.
The benefit happen this Saturday. The outpouring of love, support, hand-holding and friendship was beautiful and overwhelming.
“Thank you” is too short of words. Twenty pies were made by my neighbors as well as pots and pots of spaghetti and many local restaurants donated items too.
Huntington’s has taken my life. But my neighbors, friends and family have returned it to me with support, friendship, joy and hope.
Additional thanks to my Bone Builder friends, my Chittenden neighbors, St. Alphonsus Church friends, and Furnace Brook Church friends. And everyone who came and hugged me.
Eileen Dulli (a.k.a. ED Dulli), Chittenden, Vt.
