Abby's WalkAide

Dear Friends,

My name is Dr. Earl Jessup. I am the Founder and General Director of Baptist Church Planting Ministry which is a ministry to help churches reproduce churches around the world.  I have been helping churches plant churches for over forty years.

The reason I am writing is to seek help for our granddaughter, Miss Abigail Rose Viers.  Abby is the daughter of our son-in-law, James Viers. It is best that I give you a little background.  James was married to Melissa in 2005 and Abby was born sixteen weeks premature in December the same year.  She weighed only one pound nine ounces and had serious complications from her premature birth. After ninety-two days she was released from the hospital but required great medical attention during the first years of her life.  She also developed a mild case of cerebral palsy which caused reduced motor function on the left side of her body particularly in walking and physical activities. Two other children were born to James and Melissa, Wyatt in 2008 and Josiah in 2009. On their anniversary, six months after Josiah was born, Melissa discovered a lump which was malignant and the cancer took her life in less than three years later.  During all this, James continued to serve the Lord at Fellowship Baptist Church in Marshalltown, Iowa.  Our son, Joel, is the youth pastor at Fellowship and eventually introduced Rachel to James.  Rachel was teaching at South Haven Christian School in Springfield, Tennessee.  Through this introduction, James and Rachel fell in love and were married in May of 2013. Thus, we “inherited" three wonderful grandchildren and we are so very thankful.

Of course, this has not been easy on James and Rachel.  While Melissa was so very sick, James tried to care for the children and also work a construction job.  The medical bills added up and he did his best to care for his family.  He moved to the Marshalltown area in order to have some family help which meant he had to leave his home in Creston.  He was unable to sell the home until recently but he kept the medical bills paid as best he could and also kept his other bills current.  With Abby’s situation, there were and are medical bills that are not covered by insurance.  Thus the reason for writing.

I am now quoting my daughter’s Christmas letter. “As most of you are aware, Abby was born at 24 weeks and because of that has some complications. She has a mild case of cerebral palsy and she must wear a brace everyday.  This has made it difficult to do certain activities through the years. In the past few months we have been introduced to a device called “WalkAide Foot Drop Device”.  This device stimulates the correct nerves prompting the foot to lift with every step.  Mr. Mike, Abby’s orthotist, allowed Abby to try the device.  Within a few minutes of putting the unit on, and walking around the office, we could all see a huge difference. (See attached video.) Mr. Mike was so impressed he told us to take the demo unit home for a few of weeks to see how it would work out.  It has made a tremendous difference in her ability to walk and to do activities she hasn’t been able to do.  With the device, Mr. Mike said that it could potentially retrain the brain to start using the muscles again.  The downside is that this device is considered “experimental treatment” and so far has not been covered by insurance.  Also, it must be paid in full at the time of purchase.  The total cost is approximately $7,000 but as she grows, it adapts to her growth.

Some have asked if they could help us with this cost and we have established a Trust Fund at Great Western Bank in Marshalltown for Abby.   These funds will only be used to help with the purchase of the WalkAide and also other medical issues stemming from her complications at birth. if there are other funds available, they will go to her education expenses.  If you are interested in more information on the WalkAide the website below will give you that information.

WalkAide Website

My Dad has also created a “GoFundMe” where  donations can be made.  These funds will also be placed into the Trust Fund”

We would love to see this device be Abby's Christmas present this year. As a family, we are doing what we can and if you would like to help, it would be a great blessing.  This will make a great difference in this little girl's life.  Thank you for your help to us.

May the Lord bless you the Christmas season.

Dr. Earl D. Jessup
Baptist Church Planting Ministry