Stephanie's Treatment Fund -Goal Reached!!

***WE REACHED OUR FUNDRAISER GOAL 1/27/2023***

(read update for details)

Dear Friends, Family and Church Family,

Kristina and I have been walking with Jesse and Stephanie Marsh for the last 3 years and we are honored to start fundraising for them. We've felt so clueless about how to help, we've prayed and cried and wondered, "Where's God in all of this?" We've also seen Jesus show up for Jesse and Steph in the middle of the darkest valley. Now we have a tangible way to help and we are fired up to get involved. Here's their story...

On Labor Day weekend 2019, Stephanie was driving to work on the freeway, when she started passing out and could not hold her head up. By the next day, her head started to move uncontrollably. This rapidly became worse, shaking violently at times. Within days, the uncontrollable movement spread to her torso and legs, affecting her ability to walk. She was rushed to the Emergency Room, but the doctors could not figure out what was wrong with her. For over 3 years now, she and her husband, Jesse, have been on a frustrating and relentless journey to get medical help.

She has been to top hospitals all over and evaluated by dozens of Doctors, Neurologists, Movement Disorder Specialists, Naturopaths, etc. She has done extensive testing and has tried many grueling therapies, most with no results and some with the worsening of symptoms. The doctors have had differing opinions but agreeing they have never seen anything like this. All the while, medical bills keep piling up.

Stephanie has been left without help or answers for years. She is no longer able to work or drive, having to close her business and losing all sense of independence. Every area of her quality of life has been majorly impacted. Over the years, her symptoms have increased to multitudes of unexplainable things and have become worse and more debilitating. On a good day she can get out of the house or go for a walk. On a bad day she may lose her vision for hours, stuck in bed in excruciating pain. Some of the common symptoms include constant uncontrollable movement, chronic pain, vision problems, tremors, nervous system overstimulation causing sensitivity to light, sounds and movement, drooping in her face, dizziness, walking difficulty, and feeling unwell most days.

Finally in November 2022, Stephanie was accepted to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and seen by one of their top doctors in Neurology. They believe she has a rare Functional Neurological Disorder. This is a problem in the brain where it is not sending and receiving signals properly between the body and nervous system. As a result, any area the brain controls can be affected. This condition is very complex and difficult to diagnose, with limited treatment options. But they are hopeful that with the right therapy she could make great progress.

For treatment, she needs to go to a comprehensive therapy program in Los Angeles where they will work to try to retain the brain through neuro-based physical therapies. She has already been accepted and hopes to start in February 2023. Unfortunately, this program is not covered by insurance. The program is five days a week for eight weeks and costs $22,000. Since they live over 80 miles away, Stephanie's husband will have to take a leave of absence from work so they can stay close to the facility. As Stephanie is unable to drive, her husband, Jesse, will need to drive her to all treatment appointments. The cost of the program, as well as staying in LA and not working for 2 months, is a massive financial hardship for this couple and they could use help with raising $40,000.

$22,000 program at Reactive Therapy

$10,000 to stay in a hotel for two months

$8,000 supplemental to help cover bills, rent, food, additional medical expenses

You might not know the Marshes, with lockdowns in 2020 and Steph's condition they haven't been around at church or out in public much. Please know these two are some of the truest examples of Christ in our lives. They have committed to loving each other and faithfulness to Jesus through 3 years of intense suffering.

If you are unable to donate please consider reposting this link to your social media to get the word out.

Please pray for the funding process and for healing in Stephanie's body.

Their story is not over, God is with us, and we are not giving up.

CJ and Kristina Larson

Psalm 23