Oliver's Medical Fund...
Donation protected
Please donate what you can to help support this amazing family, as they try to work through this horrible situation and give Oliver all the care he needs.
My name is George Taylor, and I’ve started this GoFundMe for Oliver, an 8-year old boy who was diagnosed in 2012 with Tuberous Sclerosis, a rare genetic disorder that causes tumors in the brain, eyes, heart, kidneys, skin and lungs.
Here's Oliver after one of his brain surgeries:
With Oliver, the brain tumors have caused daily seizures (15+/day), made him non-verbal, and have stunted his cognitive growth and motor skills.
I encourage you to watch the video below to learn more about Oliver, his parents, and the disease.
Things Got Much Worse on January 11, 2017
Obviously, it's been incredibly difficult for Oliver and his parents, Andrew and Stephanie Lanier, but on January 11th, after a month in the hospital and dozens of theories about what was wrong, they received the news that things were about to get much worse— in addition to Tuberous Sclerosis, Oliver was diagnosed with Mitochondrial Disease.
Pending confirmation from the genetic tests (which should be back soon), Oliver's type of Mitochondrial Disease is (MNGIE). MNGIE is a very rare terminal disease that causes degeneration of the Autonomic Nervous System, and so basic things like digesting food, urinating, and vision become difficult. (Oliver now must get his nutrition through a G-tube.) It's truly a horrible disease and means caring for Oliver is going to be much more difficult and complex.
Here's Oliver on January 5th after his G-Tube surgery:
Oliver’s parents, Andrew and Stephanie Lanier are friends of mine, and two of the most amazing people I’ve ever met. If you wonder whether I might be exaggerating how amazing they are, just read their 3-year blog where, in the midst of their tragedy, they have touched and helped people around the world by sharing their story and lessons learned.
Click here to read their blog telling Oliver’s Story
Andrew and Stephanie were worried about me starting this GoFundMe, because they didn’t feel good about reaching out for help in such a public way; but frankly, the situation has gotten too difficult for them to manage alone.
Today, Oliver requires 24x7 care, a team of dozens of nurses , helpers and therapists throughout the week, special equipment, and much more. (Just feeding him through the G-tube takes 2+ hours each time.)
Here's Andrew and Stephanie's hospital notes on Oliver:
Read, Encourage, and Support
I’m hoping that lots of people will read Oliver’s story (please share with friends), and maybe even read pieces of the Lanier Landing blog. (Warning: While it will certainly inspire you, it will also touch you and make you cry.)
From there, I hope people will post up encouraging comments on GoFundMe, the Lanier Landing blog, and Facebook; and if so inspired, donate what they can to help support this amazing family as they try to work through this horrible situation and try to give Oliver all the care he needs.
*** All proceeds raised here will be held for Oliver in a trust (Oliver Lanier Special Needs Trust) at BB&T Bank, and will be used solely for Oliver's direct benefit to help pay medical needs not covered by insurance.
From Andrew and Stephanie's blog:
"We are not meant to do anything alone, especially the hardest things in life."
My name is George Taylor, and I’ve started this GoFundMe for Oliver, an 8-year old boy who was diagnosed in 2012 with Tuberous Sclerosis, a rare genetic disorder that causes tumors in the brain, eyes, heart, kidneys, skin and lungs.
Here's Oliver after one of his brain surgeries:
With Oliver, the brain tumors have caused daily seizures (15+/day), made him non-verbal, and have stunted his cognitive growth and motor skills.
I encourage you to watch the video below to learn more about Oliver, his parents, and the disease.
Things Got Much Worse on January 11, 2017
Obviously, it's been incredibly difficult for Oliver and his parents, Andrew and Stephanie Lanier, but on January 11th, after a month in the hospital and dozens of theories about what was wrong, they received the news that things were about to get much worse— in addition to Tuberous Sclerosis, Oliver was diagnosed with Mitochondrial Disease.
Pending confirmation from the genetic tests (which should be back soon), Oliver's type of Mitochondrial Disease is (MNGIE). MNGIE is a very rare terminal disease that causes degeneration of the Autonomic Nervous System, and so basic things like digesting food, urinating, and vision become difficult. (Oliver now must get his nutrition through a G-tube.) It's truly a horrible disease and means caring for Oliver is going to be much more difficult and complex.
Here's Oliver on January 5th after his G-Tube surgery:
Oliver’s parents, Andrew and Stephanie Lanier are friends of mine, and two of the most amazing people I’ve ever met. If you wonder whether I might be exaggerating how amazing they are, just read their 3-year blog where, in the midst of their tragedy, they have touched and helped people around the world by sharing their story and lessons learned.
Click here to read their blog telling Oliver’s Story
Andrew and Stephanie were worried about me starting this GoFundMe, because they didn’t feel good about reaching out for help in such a public way; but frankly, the situation has gotten too difficult for them to manage alone.
Today, Oliver requires 24x7 care, a team of dozens of nurses , helpers and therapists throughout the week, special equipment, and much more. (Just feeding him through the G-tube takes 2+ hours each time.)
Here's Andrew and Stephanie's hospital notes on Oliver:
Read, Encourage, and Support
I’m hoping that lots of people will read Oliver’s story (please share with friends), and maybe even read pieces of the Lanier Landing blog. (Warning: While it will certainly inspire you, it will also touch you and make you cry.)
From there, I hope people will post up encouraging comments on GoFundMe, the Lanier Landing blog, and Facebook; and if so inspired, donate what they can to help support this amazing family as they try to work through this horrible situation and try to give Oliver all the care he needs.
*** All proceeds raised here will be held for Oliver in a trust (Oliver Lanier Special Needs Trust) at BB&T Bank, and will be used solely for Oliver's direct benefit to help pay medical needs not covered by insurance.
From Andrew and Stephanie's blog:
"We are not meant to do anything alone, especially the hardest things in life."
Organiser and beneficiary
Andrew and Stephanie
Organiser
Wilmington, NC
Stephanie Lanier
Beneficiary
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