Fund My Upgrade: Sarah 2.0

I didn't think it could happen, but it did. My brain shutdown and life stopped as I knew it. 

Hi, my name is Sarah. I have been fighting a mysterious illness since January 14, 2018. 

My doctor calls me an enigma. I call it a living hell. 

I’m asking for assistance in paying for a specific medical bill that will help aid my recovery. But first here’s my story.

I am a social butterfly by nature. This illness made me bed-bound for one year and house-bound for two. This has forced me to live like a hermit - which I am not!

It’s taken me two years to regain enough brain power to reach out to my community and share my story. 

I am a triathlete and an ocean marathon swimmer. I represented my country at the World Championships in Amsterdam 2017 on my 30th birthday.

I was Madame President of the Coffs Harbour Triathlon Club.

I made a point each day, to live life to the fullest. I loved my community and connecting with people. 


A few months after returning from Worlds, I raced another triathlon. 

As I crossed the finish line, I got a headache. At first, I thought it was a bad case of heatstroke. 

After a day, the headache remained. 

After a month, I developed symptoms that resembled a stroke. 

I worsened. I lost cognitive ability. I was unable to read or write. I lost the ability to manage my consulting business and had to let my staff go. I was no longer able to drive. 

I felt like a 30 year old Alzheimer's patient. I was scared. 

I had trouble speaking, hearing and was only able to communicate via text message.

I slurred my words. My hands shook with a constant tremor. My face was paralysed on the left side.

I lost my memory. I forgot who my parents and friends were. 

Eventually, I became hospitalised.

The neurologist suspected the worst. A tumour. Cancer. MS. I had a multitude of tests, scans and a lumbar puncture (spinal tap). Nothing showed up. Every test was negative. I was relieved. 

I was transferred to the psych ward for a psychological examination. I discharged myself. 

I was sent home to “rest” and with a prescription for psychological counselling to “forget about ever playing sport again and adjust to my new situation”. 

I moved back in with my parents. I become 100% dependent on them. 

All these symptoms combined left me in a chronic state of ill health. I was getting worse. 


When this happened, I made the choice to seek alternate medical advice. 

I flew to Adelaide with the help of my mum for intensive cold laser therapy).  I had scans that aren’t recognised by the medical system in Australia. The treatment was to help reduce the swelling in my brain. 

I then found an integrative doctor who thoroughly investigated conditions that aren’t routinely tested in Australia. 

I had cognitive behavioural therapy for nightmares. I had speech therapy and sound therapy. I took up yoga and meditation daily. 

I’ve made changes to my diet. I’ve built up my immune system to help my body heal itself. 

After all this though, my health is not defined. It does not fit into a box and therefore this makes it hard for me to access government assistance financially.


Collectively, my parents and I have spent over A$40,000 in an attempt to get better. 

I was making slow progress and some symptoms were abiding. It seemed I was on the uphill trend. 

Then, Christmas Eve 2019, I developed an ear infection which turned into vertigo and a migraine. For the next two months, I stayed in bed in chronic pain. 

My integrative doctor suggests I may have a virus or bacterial infection that my body is struggling to fight off.  And this may be the reason why I may be having neurological issues. 

He told me there are further tests to find out. 

These tests come at a cost. 


It was at that point that I realised that I needed to reach out and ask for help from my community.


What will the funds be used for?

* Multiple Infection screen (blood test) ArminLabs, Germany A$600

* Multiple Bacteria screen (blood test) ArminLabs, Germany A$3400


Your donations will help me determine what future treatments I may need. 

I am determined to get to the bottom of this. I am determined to get back to the life I was once living. 

As a thank you to those who donate, I’ll be hosting a private online question and answer session about my experiences. 

I know I can get better with the right help. 

I know I can live to be Sarah 2.0. 

With your help I can complete my upgrade. 


With gratitude,


Sarah (2.0)


More of my story is here