Maya's medical expense
Donation protected
Hello,
My name is Maya and I'm 17 years old. I'm trying to raise money for my breast reduction which my medical insurance is refusing to pay for. My breasts have been causing me back/shoulder and neck pains since I've been 13 years old. Two years ago the pains started getting worse so I sought treatment with a physiotherapist. Even though my physiotherapist immediately saw that my breast were causing my problems, he tried to help me strengthen my back muscles to help carry the weight and relieve the pain. I spent more than a year going to physiotherapy 3 times a week. Unfortunately the treatment didn't help and I was finally referred to a plastic surgeon to discuss getting a breast reduction. Although I was scared he would refuse me because of my age (17), the plastic surgeon immediately saw how much pain (physical and emotional) my breasts were causing me and agreed to reduce them. He send a letter to my insurance to make sure they would cover the costs. Although plastic surgery for medical reasons is part of my insurance plan, my insurance denied my request because of my age. We asked them to reconsider many times, even considered starting a lawsuit but unfortunately we don't have the money and the insurance wouldn't reconsider. I know at this point some of you might think; "well it's not that unreasonable to ask someone to wait until they're 18 to have major surgery". But in this case I feel like it really is. I haven't grown an inch since my 13th birthday and neither have my breasts. I've been thinking about this surgery for four years and I'm as sure as I'll ever be that this is the best option for me. I'm tired of living with constant pains that not even the heaviest painkillers can dull. I want to be able to stand for more than half an hour without my back feeling like it's going to snap in half. I want to be able to go to concerts and festivals without having to spend half the time sitting down looking at people who are dancing and having fun. I don't want to feel trapped in my own body anymore. In my country you are legally allowed to make your own medical decisions when you turn 16. Then why is my insurance taking that right away from me? I know you can't fight my insurance, just like I couldn't. But by donating, even if it's just a little amount you can reduce the days I will have to spend in pain. I feel like this is my last hope, if I can't raise enough I will have to wait until I turn 18 (February 28) and reapply for the surgery which will take at least 3 months including the waiting list for the surgery. And even then there is no guarantee my insurance will pay. Half a year might seem like a very little amount of time to some of you, but pain can make days feel like years. Please help me fund this surgery and change my life.
My name is Maya and I'm 17 years old. I'm trying to raise money for my breast reduction which my medical insurance is refusing to pay for. My breasts have been causing me back/shoulder and neck pains since I've been 13 years old. Two years ago the pains started getting worse so I sought treatment with a physiotherapist. Even though my physiotherapist immediately saw that my breast were causing my problems, he tried to help me strengthen my back muscles to help carry the weight and relieve the pain. I spent more than a year going to physiotherapy 3 times a week. Unfortunately the treatment didn't help and I was finally referred to a plastic surgeon to discuss getting a breast reduction. Although I was scared he would refuse me because of my age (17), the plastic surgeon immediately saw how much pain (physical and emotional) my breasts were causing me and agreed to reduce them. He send a letter to my insurance to make sure they would cover the costs. Although plastic surgery for medical reasons is part of my insurance plan, my insurance denied my request because of my age. We asked them to reconsider many times, even considered starting a lawsuit but unfortunately we don't have the money and the insurance wouldn't reconsider. I know at this point some of you might think; "well it's not that unreasonable to ask someone to wait until they're 18 to have major surgery". But in this case I feel like it really is. I haven't grown an inch since my 13th birthday and neither have my breasts. I've been thinking about this surgery for four years and I'm as sure as I'll ever be that this is the best option for me. I'm tired of living with constant pains that not even the heaviest painkillers can dull. I want to be able to stand for more than half an hour without my back feeling like it's going to snap in half. I want to be able to go to concerts and festivals without having to spend half the time sitting down looking at people who are dancing and having fun. I don't want to feel trapped in my own body anymore. In my country you are legally allowed to make your own medical decisions when you turn 16. Then why is my insurance taking that right away from me? I know you can't fight my insurance, just like I couldn't. But by donating, even if it's just a little amount you can reduce the days I will have to spend in pain. I feel like this is my last hope, if I can't raise enough I will have to wait until I turn 18 (February 28) and reapply for the surgery which will take at least 3 months including the waiting list for the surgery. And even then there is no guarantee my insurance will pay. Half a year might seem like a very little amount of time to some of you, but pain can make days feel like years. Please help me fund this surgery and change my life.
Organizer
Maya Clavel Cancio Vendel
Organizer
