Help Me Walk Again

Hello friends, family and assorted interested people!

I would like to thank you for taking a moment to help me achieve a goal which will help cover expenses that could not be covered while I recover from major surgery. Unfortunately, this will be the first of two surgeries that I need in a matter of months.


The bottom line. I can no longer walk by my own power, and can only move with wheelchair, walker or crutches.


In 2011, I complained about a hitch in my step, something that happens to all of us, but for me, the hitch moved from ankle, to knee, to back, to now in 2013 my hips. I went from limping to dragging my right leg (ala Hunchback mode) and continuing to believe the doctors that 'there is nothing wrong with you'.


By May 2012, my dragging leg became a very painful back and a source of extreme fatigue. Still no idea about a cause or cure. I started using canadian crutches in October 2012 and continued to work full time. By January, I was on crutches full time, and sought out help beyond acupuncture and chiropractic intervention. I started seeing a pain physician who injected hundreds of needles with a special combination of pain killer and saline into the heaviest muscles in my legs, buttock and hips. The relief from the twitching muscles was beneficial but not long term, and financially the burden became too much. My clinic cut my hours to under 24 hours a week and my benefits for health care was also cut. I was fortunate to be able to 'hold' the benefits till March 30 and picked up an individual benefit at a difficult price. I did get insurance on May 1.


On May 22, I returned to the doctor who had sent me to several orthopedists, and by this time, I was not only not able to walk on my own, but could not 'drop' my knees so she could evaluate my motion. X-rays were taken....for the first time.


She called me with the results of my films, and was apologetic and baffled. I needed bi-lateral hip replacement.


In the flurry since, I have seen two orthopedic surgeons and had a deep space (in my hip) injection for the severe pain in the 'second' hip which will await the surgery until December. I have made hundreds of phone calls and gotten so much information regarding the hip, its new parts and the benefit of being 'so young' to have this done 'now'. I will most likely have another replacement in the future because I am 'so young' and these are good parts but don't 'last a lifetime'.


So, its here, that I come to you my friends and family. My portion of my co-pay is $6,500.00. I need to take 6-8 weeks off from work, most without pay. I have all four kids living with me at present, 3 of them in college/high-school, or a variation of that, and Joshua, returning to elementary school.


Because of my pay now, I do not qualify for food stamps, gas or electric help, or other financial assistance from the medical insurance. I work 3 days a week and support the kids and the household, to my last penny, each paycheck. I am not complaining, but explaining. When my surgery occurs, on August 12, I will have approximately 60 hours of leave available, but will be 'gone' from my job for 144 hours, part time pay. And, I have to do this twice this year, once for each hip. Neither physician will do bi-lateral hips at the same time.


I would trust that God would take care of all my needs, and at this time, I am calling on my friends and family to consider helping me too. I am not understanding the mis-diagnosis for the past two years, but I am understanding the potential loss of all lower limb motion if I do not get this operation.


Please consider a donation to my cause. Could I do this some other way, I would be grateful to not have to ask. On many occasions, I have been approached by some of you to support causes close to your heart. I pray that my willingness to support others will allow others to support me in this very difficult and scary time of my life.


Thank you for considering my needs and your willingness to bless me and my family at this time.



Amy Sue Morin (Harris)
(aka Amy Good)


photo is with one of my International students at Calvary Christmas