My name is Matthew. I have been diagnosed with RRMS with severe complications. I want to tell you how everything started. In the beginning, We (My wife and I)were so happy to start a small business. It began when we opened a brick-mortar shop a few months before the Covid lockdown. It started with very severe symptoms of falling, loss of consciousness, seizures, delayed vision, and extreme difficulty walking. I tried to hide the symptoms and what was happening with everyone to keep our businesses going. But the symptoms became unbearable, and then I was diagnosed with RRMS with extreme complications; I lost the ability to walk. I needed emergency surgery. (during the pandemic) and had my entire cervical and some thoracic fused with my neurological team at UCR Multi-Specialty they did my neck day 1 and my back day 2.

UCR Multi-Specialty deals with neurology, spinal surgery, walking disorders, and much more. I am being held back by Insurance issues. There is a test required which is extremely important to help diagnose and treat, but the tests are costly, over $10,000 per test, and medication that is not covered is $3,000 a month not including IVIG. I've tried my best to work with the insurance company, but there is nothing that I can do. I cannot walk without assistance now; I wear leg braces to stand and walk without falling on bad days. Walking is not an option. During this ordeal, we lost EVERYTHING due to medical expenses that were not covered. I never thought this would happen to me or us, but this completely changed our life. Now my wife's main job is to care for me. I try so hard to help with our stressed business, but I end up exacerbating my symptoms and having a seizure during work. I have laid down in the truck until the pain and seizure have passed; I get back up and help finish the project. No one should have to deal with this. It's torture and can be giving me permanent damage. I am declining rapidly I am now skin and bones. I have no choice in the matter; I do not get any financial assistance. My mind and body are falling apart. I am not able to afford medical tests and daily medication. I can't afford so I go without it. I can't function without these medications. The medical test itself is $10,000. I am trying to save for it because this test might save my life. The medication I require every month, which I can't afford, and go without costs $3,000 a month. I have no family my wifes family does not assist, it's just me, my wife and our dog, and I am starting to lose hope. It takes a sociological toll having the knowledge that with proper treatment I can get better. Thank you for listing. Anything is appreciated.  The faster the goal is made the better chance of the of getting immediate and proper treatment for a better chance of having close to a normal life.

Take Care,

m-