This should be a time of celebration—Avalon’s Sweet 16.

Instead, she’s been confined to our home, for the last 8 weeks fighting a relentless daily battle with severe dysautonomia. This complex and debilitating condition has taken away her ability to live a normal teenage life. For the past eight weeks, Ava has been out of school, suffering from frequent episodes of black outs and loss of consciousness crippling migraines, constant nausea, gastrointestinal issues, caused by her body’s inability to regulate basic functions.

We believe her condition developed following a COVID infection last year —a pattern doctors are seeing in some dysautonomia patients. Unfortunately, we live in Sheridan, Wyoming, where there are no specialists for this condition and they are out of options. We are currently on waitlists to see expert care teams in Denver in July and Rochester, but the medical and travel costs are overwhelming.

We’re facing an estimated $15,000 in upcoming expenses just to get Ava the evaluations and treatments and cover travel expenses she urgently needs.

Also My work has already been deeply impacted. Ava’s care is full-time—her medication schedule, fainting episodes, and constant monitoring have made it nearly impossible to work regular hours. A lot of my income is based on the ability to travel.

If you’re not able to donate, please consider sharing Ava’s story or visiting or sending her a message or card of support. Even a kind word can lift her spirits on hard days.

We’re also organizing local fundraisers in honor of her Sweet 16, including an event w/ prizes and small party. Details will be posted on our Facebook page, along with Ava’s Amazon Wish List, if you’d like to send a small gift to make her smile.

We are deeply grateful for every ounce of support—emotional, financial, or simply your presence.

Thank you for standing with us during this time.

With love,

Paige Pozos (Ava’s mom)