Andy & Joey's Healing Hope Fund

Update 2024: After battling the disability court and being denied on both appeals a few years ago (because they won't recognize Lyme Disease as a valid disease eligible for help, even though they said it's obvious Andy is sick) and Jolene's income going down the last 2 years, it has made financial burdens heavy. With day to day fluctuations (severe at times) of symptoms, Andy's unable to make any steady income. There hasn't been much medical help in the way of proven lasting treatment. After losing their Lyme specialist, they were able to find another physician willing to monitor Andy at least, but admits there's not much else that can be done. All costs are out of pocket. The couple continues to have faith in healing. To do their best despite the situation.

Jolene continues to work through her own health challenges which are heavy at times. Jolene paused the fund site for 4 years in appreciation of past help but wanted to do her best to carry the finances. If you feel moved to contribute blessings of relief, the fun has been reopened for a time. The family is very appreciative.

Never giving up...

In 2007 our lives changed in a way no newly wed couple anticipates. My precious best friend and husband Andy became inexplicably ill with debilitating symptoms.

After six years of misdiagnosis and a lack of proper treatment, he was diagnosed with late stage/chronic Lyme Disease as well as 3 co-infections which left untreated... had torn his body apart. With symptoms ranging from MS to Stroke like with severe nervous/cardiovasular/digestive system problems. His life has slowly been reduced to spending much of his life in bed unable to carry out the interaction with loved ones. Severe sensitivities such as light, sound and even being touched make every day life extremely difficult. His immense skills and passion for his career have sat in darkness as he is no longer able to run his shop... after many attempts when others would have long given up.

Despite improper information given, in 2013 I also became very ill and after a severe injury due to the collapse of my own strength to carry the load of responsibilities... I lost my job (our only income) and was facing dibilitation much like Andy. In 2014, I was officially confirmed as having the very same infection after testing. Not only has this proven inaccuracies in what was thought to be true about the disease, it crippled our household in incredible ways. Financially, physically and emotionally. 

After 3 very heavy years of treatment (and continued maintenance treatment still to this day) I began to function enough to work part time in an effort to try to help maintain our home. A place where Andy can focus on as much healing as possible without added worry. Without the support in so many ways from loved ones as well as many generous souls whom we have never even met, Andy and I know that life would be even more difficult than the persistant health trials. Due to the political scene surrounding Lyme Disease, our Specialist visits and treatments are not covered by any form of aid/insurance. Therefore we are to pay all costs out of pocket. We have been battling to get this obviously ill man approved for help through disability with no success as of right now. We will not back down. We will never stop searching for a cure. In the meantime funding goes toward supporting Andy's body through the battle with various treatments, my own treatments, medical bills as well as supplemental household expenses which my limited work hours cannot fully cover.

If I could only explain how incredibly compassionate, loving, supportive, ecounraging and faithful Andy is despite the immense obsticals he faces... perhaps you would understand a fraction of the efforts myself and so many others put forth.

We will not give up. He is my "once in a lifetime" love. Together with our families we have hope and faith that everything works for the best. We are grateful for trials which have produced miracles.. so many of them in the form of generosity shown to us.

Should you feel moved to help us keep this worthwhile fight going, please know that there are no words that would adequately express what your investment means. We thank you from the bottom of your hearts.