Alex's medical and support costs
Donation protected
My 25 year old son Alex is in desperate need of mental health treatment due to a combination of Bipolar Disorder, ADHD and Asperger’s Syndrome. Unfortunately health insurance will not cover these costs. Please donate in any way possible to help the family to pay for medical and supportive services.
Mental Illness is real, and it is not a person’s fault. My son Alex is a lovely, intelligent, caring, passionate soul. He is in desperate need of significant medical and support services so that he does not permanently give up on life. Unfortunately, this requires financial resources that we do not have.
Growing up, Alex struggled with ADHD and Aspergers related disorders. As he grew into his teens and into early adulthood, Alex started having dramatic mood swings and ‘episodes’ which resulted in debilitating depression that he was unable to control. He was finally diagnosed with Type I BiPolar Disorder in 2014, followed by years of heartbreak due to the difficulties it presents, especially when combined with his other challenges.
Alex, longing to use his sparkling intelligence, has gone out and started jobs, with gusto, time and time again, only to get derailed by his challenges, which then leads to crippling, disabling, depression.
He has been struggling with his will to live for many years. His unsuccessful attempts to live a “normal" life and the resulting failures have had a cumulative effect and lately he thinks about suicide all the time.
Alex has been admitted to acute care psychiatric settings 3 times in just over a year and had a number of ER trips in addition. These programs serve an important immediate purpose, but do nothing to help people with mental illness learn how to navigate life. It becomes an endless cycle of trying/failing/hospitalization.
Alex has worked hard to be a healthy and successful member of society. He has stayed away from drugs and substance abuse and has always gone to therapy and to his doctors, wanting and willing to find a solution, but it has not been enough. He needs more, and he needs it now.
After extensive research, I was able to come up with 2 alternative plans which can provide the help Alex needs and get him on a healthy track:
Plan A is a stay at a residential mental health community and requires $36,000.
There are some amazing residential programs out there for people like Alex, where they get help learning how to function successfully in the world while managing and understanding their mental illness. Alex’s insurance doesn’t cover these programs and most are private pay, and they range from about $12,000 - $50,000 per month out of pocket. Most programs require at least 3-6 months to have long lasting therapeutic benefit.
We have found a wonderful program in Vermont that seems to be a great fit for Alex. It is $12,000 per month and they require at least a 3 month stay. If we can raise $36,000 this will be the best path for Alex.
Plan B involves putting together a number of out-patient therapies targeted at supporting and healing and helping Alex to learn to live independently and requires $18,000.
This plan includes a 30 day, intensive Sensory Learning Program that is conducted by a Neuro-Optometrist, and works to heal sensory pathways in the brain. This would work on the Central Auditory Processing Disorder and other sensory issues that Alex has as a result of Aspergers. Another part of this plan is working closely with a therapist 2 times per week for a few weeks and then weekly after he is stable. The therapist would coordinate treatment with a psychiatrist who he would also see, so that the proper medications can be identified and prescribed. Plan B, with therapy and program fees, lodging and travel requirements, co-pays, etc would total $18,000.
I have been very sick with Chronic Lyme Disease for 13 years now, out of work for many years and part time for some. The disease has caused serious neurological damage. I had a relapse last year and have been unable to work since last summer. I have taken all the equity I can from my home and have no savings remaining so I am unable to pay for Alex’s treatment. I have tried, but do not qualify for any loans. Alex’s dad has become deep in debt after helping Alex through past acute episodes and is unable to financially contribute at this time.
My son is not lazy. He has no desire to be dependent upon government support or a burden to anyone. He wants to be an active, full contributor to society and has so much to give. Alex wants to be able to support others! And he will, if he can get the right kind of help.
Thank you for reading this and considering supporting this very wonderful, worthy human being.
Mental Illness is real, and it is not a person’s fault. My son Alex is a lovely, intelligent, caring, passionate soul. He is in desperate need of significant medical and support services so that he does not permanently give up on life. Unfortunately, this requires financial resources that we do not have.
Growing up, Alex struggled with ADHD and Aspergers related disorders. As he grew into his teens and into early adulthood, Alex started having dramatic mood swings and ‘episodes’ which resulted in debilitating depression that he was unable to control. He was finally diagnosed with Type I BiPolar Disorder in 2014, followed by years of heartbreak due to the difficulties it presents, especially when combined with his other challenges.
Alex, longing to use his sparkling intelligence, has gone out and started jobs, with gusto, time and time again, only to get derailed by his challenges, which then leads to crippling, disabling, depression.
He has been struggling with his will to live for many years. His unsuccessful attempts to live a “normal" life and the resulting failures have had a cumulative effect and lately he thinks about suicide all the time.
Alex has been admitted to acute care psychiatric settings 3 times in just over a year and had a number of ER trips in addition. These programs serve an important immediate purpose, but do nothing to help people with mental illness learn how to navigate life. It becomes an endless cycle of trying/failing/hospitalization.
Alex has worked hard to be a healthy and successful member of society. He has stayed away from drugs and substance abuse and has always gone to therapy and to his doctors, wanting and willing to find a solution, but it has not been enough. He needs more, and he needs it now.
After extensive research, I was able to come up with 2 alternative plans which can provide the help Alex needs and get him on a healthy track:
Plan A is a stay at a residential mental health community and requires $36,000.
There are some amazing residential programs out there for people like Alex, where they get help learning how to function successfully in the world while managing and understanding their mental illness. Alex’s insurance doesn’t cover these programs and most are private pay, and they range from about $12,000 - $50,000 per month out of pocket. Most programs require at least 3-6 months to have long lasting therapeutic benefit.
We have found a wonderful program in Vermont that seems to be a great fit for Alex. It is $12,000 per month and they require at least a 3 month stay. If we can raise $36,000 this will be the best path for Alex.
Plan B involves putting together a number of out-patient therapies targeted at supporting and healing and helping Alex to learn to live independently and requires $18,000.
This plan includes a 30 day, intensive Sensory Learning Program that is conducted by a Neuro-Optometrist, and works to heal sensory pathways in the brain. This would work on the Central Auditory Processing Disorder and other sensory issues that Alex has as a result of Aspergers. Another part of this plan is working closely with a therapist 2 times per week for a few weeks and then weekly after he is stable. The therapist would coordinate treatment with a psychiatrist who he would also see, so that the proper medications can be identified and prescribed. Plan B, with therapy and program fees, lodging and travel requirements, co-pays, etc would total $18,000.
I have been very sick with Chronic Lyme Disease for 13 years now, out of work for many years and part time for some. The disease has caused serious neurological damage. I had a relapse last year and have been unable to work since last summer. I have taken all the equity I can from my home and have no savings remaining so I am unable to pay for Alex’s treatment. I have tried, but do not qualify for any loans. Alex’s dad has become deep in debt after helping Alex through past acute episodes and is unable to financially contribute at this time.
My son is not lazy. He has no desire to be dependent upon government support or a burden to anyone. He wants to be an active, full contributor to society and has so much to give. Alex wants to be able to support others! And he will, if he can get the right kind of help.
Thank you for reading this and considering supporting this very wonderful, worthy human being.
Organizer
Judy Blake
Organizer
Peterborough, NH
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