Video interview with Debbie Waffle: Kelsey’s story 

Kelsey Waffle was diagnosed with idiopathic small fiber neuropathy at age 23, but her autonomic symptoms began much earlier. What started as unexplained health issues slowly grew into a condition that deeply changed her active and creative life. 

In this FPN patient interview, Kelsey’s mother and caregiver, Debbie Waffle, shares her daughter’s journey. She opens up about the pain, uncertainty, and many emotions their family experienced along the way. Debbie also tells the touching story of Kelsey’s beloved dog, Brody, who became a therapy dog after Kelsey passed away, helping to carry on her dream. 

Through her memoir, My Grief Jar: Still Growing After the Loss of My Daughter, Debbie honors Kelsey’s life while helping raise awareness and understanding of neuropathy. 

Debbie shared some photos from her book. Brody wears bandanas during his therapy visits as a way of honoring Kelsey. Debbie took pictures of Kelsey’s clothing and uploaded the pictures into bandanas to feel like Kelsey was attending too.