A Better Life For Blake

Hi everyone, my name is Tamara, and I'm writing this on behalf of my 18 year old brother Blake, who has recently been diagnosed with Scheuermann's disease. This is a disease that results in curvature of the spine and an eventual hunchback. This causes him a lot of back and neck pain, causing him to miss school and abstain from activities such as football. He needs a back brace to correct this, which he has to wear 24 hours a day (only taking it off to shower) for the next 2 years. The brace will hopefully straighten his spine and improve his quality of life. He will never be 100% but with this brace he will be around 85% which is a huge improvement over what he is now.

If this is not done before he turns 21, he will have a permanent hunchback and problems with his back for the rest of his life. The brace alone costs $3500,  with a doctor's visit costing $230, and three additional visits costing $195. This is money we simply don't have. My father is unable to work after suffering two herniated discs in his spine (resulting in two laminectomies), a third bulging disc which is sitting on a nerve causing constant pain, and spurs in his feet. My mother is a full-time carer to my father, brother and myself (I have several health issues as well, and I've just returned to work following a massive surgery to correct a medical condition I was born with. I returned early to cover mortgage repayments). Any donations would be greatly appreciated and would make all the difference in the world to my wonderful brother :)

Thank you! :)