Kacey Booth was working full time as a high school teacher and had just earned her license to be a K-12 principal, when her life went into a tailspin.
“I was working and living life when I had four asthma attacks — and the next thing I know my central nervous system started causing a lot of neurological issues,” said Kacey.
That was Christmas Day 2023. In the nearly two years since, the 40-year-old said she has seen “every neurologist in the St. Louis metro area, and none of them know what to do.”
Kacey has had an autoimmune disease for 10 years, but it was manageable. Whatever she’s battling now is nothing short of debilitating.
“There’s not one system in my body that’s not affected by whatever this disease is,” she said.
Kacey has experienced a significant decline in her mobility and fine motor skills, and she hasn’t driven a car in two years.
“I’ve had to quit my job — I couldn’t go back to teaching — and I’ve moved back in with my parents. Instead of being a school administrator or a teacher or a professor, I’m now on a fixed income with Social Security.”
Her frustration with the lack of answers from local doctors led Kacey to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., where she finally received a diagnosis of Behcet’s Syndrome for her autoimmune disease.
“We still don’t have a diagnosis on the neurology side,” she said.
Kacey and her mom, Dixie, made their first flight to the Mayo Clinic with Wings of Hope in July and their third, and most recent, flight in October. They learned about Wings of Hope through Judy and Ned Koprowski, who attend the same church and volunteer at Wings of Hope.
“When Judy learned of Kacey’s medical condition during one of the Women’s Day Guild meetings at our church, we helped Kacey’s family apply to the medical air transport program,” said Ned, who recently joined the Wings of Hope Board of Directors. “We are deeply grateful to Wings of Hope for all they have done to assist Kacey and her family.”
Flying with Wings of Hope has made traveling to the Mayo Clinic easier on many fronts, said Kacey.
“As someone on a fixed income, it’s a huge blessing. Also, my mom and dad are older so driving for eight hours with all my conditions and pain issues would be really difficult for everybody.”
Traveling with Wings of Hope also eliminates the stress of navigating a busy airport.
“I have sensory overload,” said Kacey. “To try to go through the hustle and bustle of an airport, I don’t think I’d make it through.”
Kacey praised Wings of Hope’s staff, volunteers, and flight crew for their kindness and concern: “When you first get here, they come out with blankets, with a stuffed animal, with snacks. It’s like they’re rolling out the red carpet, because they know you don’t feel good, they know you’re scared, and they know you’ve got some possibly life-changing medical appointments coming up.”
Dixie shared the story of trying to get a ride from the airport to their hotel near the Mayo Clinic. The nearest cab was an hour away and Kacey wasn’t feeling well. Dr. Greg Kwasny, the Wings of Hope medic who had accompanied them on their flight, took it upon himself to book them an Uber.
“Not only did he order us an Uber,” said Dixie, “but he wouldn’t let me pay for it. This is the kind of people who are volunteering at Wings of Hope and helping others.”
Kacey’s father, Ray, summed up how the family feels about Wings of Hope: “Wings of Hope is like a walking group of guardian angels. They’re looking out for everything and willing to help. It’s unusual in today’s world.”