Apryl Levy needs treatment

Dear Family and Friends,
We will try to use the website www.helpaprylfightcrps.com to explain this disease, CRPS/RSD. We will update everyone on how it is affecting Apryl—in terms of her experience with treatments, remission, as well as the struggle to pay for treatments, medications and physical therapy—and most importantly, this website will offer ways you can help.
We, her family, are so proud of her. She has maintained such a positive outlook and finds tremendous strength to face each new obstacle.

A Walkathon is set for May 4rd - go to page "HOW YOU CAN HELP" for more details. To download the form, click on this link: Brochure/Sponsor sheet (scroll down to 2nd page)

She is a kind, spiritual, loving and strong person. It is difficult for all of us to see her pain and helping pay for her care has been a labor of love. She is incredibly frugal , but medical costs are too much and we hope this website inspires people to help in big and small ways.

Thank you for taking time to learn more about Apryl and CRPS.
We would like to thank those who donated on gofundme.com over the holiday season. Your support is greatly appreciated. Please consider getting others to sponsor you in our walkathon fundraiser on May 4th .

We will update the page with Apryl's status. We will use all proceeds to support medical costs. For instance, prescription drugs (she takes about 12), the costs of ketamine infusions (the last round was 10 thousand, without flights for anything) and physical therapy.

http://helpaprylfightcrps.com/History_of_Apryl_s_CRPS.html
With Gratitude,
Apryl’s family
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Dear Extended Family, Friends and Kind Strangers:

I'm Apryl's sister, Robin, and I'm writing on behalf of our family. We struggled with whether or not to do a fundraising site. We have all been pitching in for her care (approx $50,000 as a group) and will continue to do so. However, after spending the last 14 days in the hospital with her, we have to try for help.

ALL funds raised will ONLY be used for medical care.

I’ll begin by telling you a little about her, and then explain the disease, the costs of specific prescriptions and treatments and how it enables her to walk and continue to teach.

My sister, Apryl Levy, is 31 years old. She has been a Special Education teacher of students with Autism for ten years. She earned her undergraduate degree from Northern Illinois University where she was on the Dean’s List, Mortar Board and active in the APO service fraternity. She earned her Master’s from the University of Illinois. Up until last week , she was working as a teacher. She had to stop working due to the RSD.

She is not dying, but has a rare nerve disorder called RSD (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy.) RSD results in muscle atrophy and physically disabling conditions. The McGill Pain Index ranks RSD as the most painful form of chronic pain that exists today. It has also been rated as higher pain than childbirth. More info at: http://www.rsdhope.org/what-is-crps.html.

The condition began after a fracture to the left foot in 2009. She was unable to walk for 7 months until a proper diagnosis was made of RSD at that time. She was treated at the Cleveland Clinic for 6 months to rehabilitate in a special program for people with the same condition. She under went many procedures of the spine while in the specialized program.

After much hard work, the RSD went into remission in the left foot. She continued back to work as a Special Education Teacher for students with Autism and as coach for Special Olympics. In 2011, a severe injury occurred after having 3 concussions while working with students with aggressive behavioral needs. The RSD spread to the head down the entire left upper extremities.

In the summer of 2011 our family and her fellow school teachers did a bowling fundraiser. She was treated at the Cleveland Clinic for another round of rigourous therapy and procedures on the spine.
After not receiving relief from treatment in Ohio she headed to the International RSD Research Institute in Tampa.

It was determined she needed a treatment of Ketamine Infusions to help her walk and regain function in the upper extremities in order for her to continue to work. Ketamine Infusions are given the same way as chemotherapy and have many of the same awful side affects. Ketamine infusions are the best hope for RSD pain control and for a chance to achieve remission.

She arrived for Ketamine Infusion treatments in a wheelchair and walked out of the last treatment. She was able to find a less physical job with elementary students and has been up until this past month.

That round cost 15 thousand dollars up front out of pocket. This might not seem like enough to cause a hardship, but she has required many surgeries in 3 years and tons of out-of-pocket prescription costs as well as medical and physical/occupational therapy bills. (See wish list)

Apryl has experienced significant financial hardship. When she could not teach, she was often choosing between medical needs, groceries, gas and bills—which is where we help out and will continue to—but the money for Ketamine Infusions and medical care is what we are requesting assistance for and ALL funds would be used for those costs.


They recommend a round of Ketamine Infusions —she has simply declined due to the cost (they require the cash up front at Rush and at Tampa.) We are not sure how long she will be able to walk and manage pain after. We are hoping to have the money in time for her to do the ketamine infusion by Spring.


Thanks for taking time to learn more about Apryl and considering helping her out