About Me

Hi! My name is Chadwick Sims, and I am 46 years old. About 18 years ago, I started to develop multiple health problems. I saw several doctors over the years, some local to me in Flowery Branch, Georgia, physicians at Emory University in Atlanta, and some as far away as the University of Iowa Teaching Hospital. It took around 5 years for the medical community to diagnose me with something called Behcet’s Disease. On top of that, I was also diagnosed with a few other conditions, including an immune system disorder called Common Variable Immune Deficiency Syndrome, Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension, and Diabetes. Over the last decade and a half, I have had to undergo 57 surgeries to help my body cope with the havoc that these diseases have wreaked on me. The last surgery that I underwent in September of 2023 was a gastric bypass. Since then, I have lost almost 100 pounds. It has helped my quality of life, but I will always deal with the disabilities that Behcet's presents.

During my worst sick moments, especially when the pandemic was at its height, I was very lonely. I had no one to relate to or talk to about my diseases. It made me feel helpless.  There are so many people like me across the country who are suffering alone. My goal is to travel the country and get out there, now that I am able, and meet them; talk to them and learn and tell their stories. The healthcare system in our country needs to be highlighted and talked about, and people need to know that they are not alone in their health battles! I will also be vlogging my daily life to show what it is like to live with health problems in this country, demonstrating firsthand how the sick are marginalized. I want to do this to help bring change to our country!

Funds raised will go directly towards the purchase of a customized Sprinter van, which would allow me to travel. Mobility is still sometimes an issue. I also receive IVIG treatments bimonthly. The van would be a safe and clean environment to get these on the road. Thank you for hearing my story and thank you for your support!