Tonya has been diagnosed with :
ANEMIA
COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder)
PRE DIABETES
RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS
(auto imune with a level of 364 )
ADEMIA
VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY
As well mass found in neck and breast.
Awaiting further testing before diagnosis.
Tonya’s Heart: A Life of Giving
Tonya Honeycutt, at 51 years young, carries a lifetime of love and generosity within her. Her greatest pride beams from her life partner and friend of 17 yrs. A wonderful man who goes to any length for his family. Two children: a daughter, 28, and a son, 33. “They’re great kids,” Tonya shares, a warmth in her voice. “They work very hard and help as much as they can.”
But the family doesn’t stop there. Tonya is also the doting grandmother to three “awesome” grandchildren from her daughter. There’s the spirited 8-year-old granddaughter, a 7-year-old grandson in the middle, and the youngest, a two-year-old granddaughter. Spending time with them is clearly a cherished part of her life. “I love my grandkids,” she states simply, yet profoundly.
For decades, Tonya lived a life in perpetual motion, driven by an innate desire to help others. Up until about seven years ago, she was a whirlwind of activity, always lending a hand, always contributing to her community. “I was a very active person, always working with anyone who needed me and doing things to help other people,” she recalls. “Just always busy, but barely got any sleep, and I enjoyed it. And I never regretted it.”
Her acts of kindness were never for recognition or reward. They stemmed from a pure, heartfelt place. Whether it was providing clothes to those in need, sharing food, offering shelter, finding furniture for a new start, or whatever else was required, Tonya gave tirelessly. ” I’ve helped lot of people,” she emphasizes, “and I did it from the kindness of my heart.
But all that has changed now..As of today she lies in her bed alone and trys to find a reason to understand and accept her illnesses causing so much pain mentally and emotionally as well as physically .
In a state of depression that has almost taken over .she needs your help in anyway possible ,to regain emotional strength and the means nessasary to have a life again..
Let me share more about this young lady and her life now.
The morning light, filtered through the blinds, was usually a reminder of another day spent mostly in bed. Tanya sighed, the familiar ache in her joints echoing the weariness in her spirit. She yearned to be up, to move, to feel the satisfaction of a good stretch or a walk. Her mind brimmed with images of vibrant salads and lean proteins, a stark contrast to the budget-friendly, less-than-ideal meals she often managed. “If only,” she’d often whisper to the quiet room, “if only I had the right help.”
Her current bed, unyielding and low, was a daily battle. Each attempt to rise was an act of sheer will, pushing against uncooperative limbs, made harder by feet that perpetually ached in ill-fitting shoes – a consequence of not being able to easily get out and find the right pair, or afford them when she did. Adding to the daily struggle, Tonya had just about lost the use of her hands most of the time, making simple tasks like holding a fork, buttoning a shirt, or even just grasping her phone a monumental effort. The doctor had even mentioned an adjustable bed could make a world of difference, easing pressure points and making transfers easier. But without Medicaid or Medicare, that seemingly simple necessity felt as distant as a star. On top of it all, Tonya knew she had many more things to do as far as her healthcare plan, with more doctors and tests to come. It was hard to afford, but she was doing everything she could.
“It’s not that I don’t want to,” she often thought, the words unspoken but heavy in her heart. She dreamed of gentle exercises, movements that could strengthen her muscles without causing pain, guided by someone who understood her limitations. And the food – oh, the food. She knew what her body needed: fresh fruits, crisp vegetables, nourishing whole grains. But healthy eating, it seemed, was a luxury.
The biggest burden, though, wasn’t just physical. It was the feeling of being stuck, of being a burden to anyone who tried to help, even just with groceries or a kind word. Her confidence had dwindled, replaced by a constant internal whisper of “I can’t.”
One particularly tough afternoon, after a frustrating attempt to just sit up, a flicker of defiance sparked within her. “This isn’t me,” she thought. “This isn’t how my story ends.” She grabbed her phone, the one lifeline to the outside world, and started searching. Not for what she couldn’t have, but for what might exist just beyond her current view.
She typed in “medical equipment assistance without insurance.” Then, “food banks for people with chronic illness.” She found mentions of community health centers offering sliding-scale therapy, and local non-profit organizations that sometimes loaned out equipment or helped with adaptive solutions. It wasn’t the easy answer she craved, but it was a thread, a potential lifeline.
She learned about 211, a number that connected her to local resources. The voice on the other end was kind, not judgmental, and listened patiently as Tanya haltingly explained her situation. They suggested a food pantry that focused on fresh produce, and even mentioned a disability advocacy group that offered peer support – people who truly understood what it felt like to navigate life with physical challenges.
It wasn’t an instant fix. The adjustable bed was still a distant dream, but the representative talked about loan closets and charity programs. The shoes still pinched, but she learned about organizations that sometimes provided vouchers for specialized footwear. Most importantly, she found a glimmer of hope that someone might be able to help her with confidence building, maybe through an online support group or a local program that didn’t require extensive insurance.
As the days turned into weeks, Tonya began to make small, determined changes. She couldn’t afford a personal trainer, but she found online videos for chair exercises, adapting them to her own capacity, even with her struggling hands. The food pantry provided fresh ingredients that allowed her to make healthier, more satisfying meals. The peer support group, meeting virtually, gave her a sense of camaraderie and validation she hadn’t realized she desperately needed. Hearing others share their struggles and triumphs made her feel less alone, less like a burden.
One evening, after successfully navigating a new exercise move from her bed, a faint smile touched her lips. She wasn’t out of bed yet, not fully independent. But she had taken the first steps, not without the right help, but by actively seeking it out, piece by painful, hopeful piece. The path was long, but for the first time in a long time, Tanya felt a stir of possibility. Maybe, just maybe, she could get out of this bed, not just with her own strength, but with the strength of the “right help” she was now actively finding.
The deepest longing, however, was for her grandkids. She used to watch them every day, their laughter and energy filling her home, a constant source of joy. As her situation worsened and her health declined, that simple pleasure became impossible. Now, more than anything, Tonya wanted to get better, to heal, so she could once again be there, watching them grow, playing with them, making new memories. She knew deep in her heart that with the right assistance, she could get there.
If you find it in your heart to relate and understand her situation,and are in a position to help her please dont hesitate. She so desprately want to manage her illnesses and regain control of her life ,enjoying it with her family once again, instead of laying in a bed ,round the clock as her hope surely fades .
