Aimee [Bedard] Grey’s Chiari (kee-r-ee) Care Fund
Aimee [Bedard] Grey has always worked hard, often 70 hours a week, sometimes at two jobs at a time. When she landed her dream job as a kitchen designer, the future looked bright. It didn’t turn out that way. Aimee lost her job during the recession, but was grateful to find another one advising seniors about their Medicare rights. Then she and her husband Josh were rear-ended in a horrible accident. They both sustained injuries. Aimee’s was scheduled for surgery, and Josh struggled through pain to keep working, but within a week his employer kicked him to the curb. He needed to be home to recuperate from his own injuries, and to help Aimee too after her surgery. He applied for jobs online. Hundreds of them, with no response.
The insurance payout from the accident was barely enough to cover Aimee’s surgery, and Josh could not find a new job. When Aimee recovered enough to find a job as an administrative assistant, he decided to train for a new career in nursing.
Then Aimee’s pain started—terrible, unremitting pain. Aimee knew she had to continue to work until Josh finished school, and she didn’t tell him how bad the pain was, and how it increased every day. She consulted various doctors and was incorrectly diagnosed and prescribed medicines that did not work.
Finally the pain became so bad that she could no longer work. After months, she was finally diagnosed with a rare brain condition called Chiari Malformation, a serious neurological disorder where the bottom part of the brain descends out of the skull and crowds the spinal cord, putting pressure on the brain and spine and causing many disabling symptoms including unremitting 10+++ pain, difficulty walking, sleep problems, and a pulsating “whoosh-whoosh” sensation in her head that goes on 24/7.
In August, 2016, Aimee had decompression surgery on her brain. It is not a cure for Chiari, but is supposed to relieve her symptoms. The surgical outcome was complicated when the incision—about 8 inches along the back of her skull— got infected. She needed an additional surgery to address the infection.
Her pain and debilitation are now actually worse. Aimee was always the girl with the positive outlook, full of energy and loved by everyone. Now she struggles with the smallest tasks of daily living and feels isolated and hopeless. She uses a four-wheel walker because her right leg muscles are badly contracted, and she often feels very dizzy and unbalanced. The whole right side of her body (from the top of her head to her toes, including her arm, hands and fingers) feels like it has been repeatedly punched, and is covered with horrible bruises and cuts. It feels so real that she catches herself looking to see if she actually does have cuts and bruises on her body. The constant “whoosh-whoosh” sound is still there.
Aimee and her husband have had no income for more than a year. During that time they have been completely dependent on one relative on minimal social security who has depleted her savings account to help them just barely get by.
Aimee has seen more doctors since the surgery in an effort to resolve her unrelenting pain and other physical issues. She also needs to take many medications. Because of their financial situation, Aimee and Josh are not able to install ramps and grab-bars, which would at least make the house safer. Aimee has been denied disability income, even though she so clearly deserves it.
Aimee would rejoice if she could have just one moment when she felt normal. She prays she will find a doctor who will be able to help her, but at the moment financial concerns are utmost in her mind. They are going to be a one-income family, so the main thing right now is for Josh to finish school to get a decent job again, one with health insurance that will cover Aimee’s medical care. It’s their best hope for their future.
This is a young couple who have done everything you’re “supposed” to do, yet they have had one setback after another. Aimee’s health issues and their dire financial situation is the biggest challenge they have ever had to face. They’re so tired of fighting with all they’ve got to get their lives back to normal.
The purpose of this campaign is to help the family get through the next year, to begin to chip away at their backlog of bills, and continue Aimee’s care. They need your help, and would be so grateful. Every donation helps, and if you cannot donate, please share this story, and please pray that Aimee finds a doctor who can help her! Any amount that you can give will be greatly appreciated. Thank you to everyone who reads, donates, shares, or prays for Aimee and Josh.
Any funds received beyond the goal will be donated for much-needed Chiari Malformation research to http://www.asap.org.
Aimee [Bedard] Grey has always worked hard, often 70 hours a week, sometimes at two jobs at a time. When she landed her dream job as a kitchen designer, the future looked bright. It didn’t turn out that way. Aimee lost her job during the recession, but was grateful to find another one advising seniors about their Medicare rights. Then she and her husband Josh were rear-ended in a horrible accident. They both sustained injuries. Aimee’s was scheduled for surgery, and Josh struggled through pain to keep working, but within a week his employer kicked him to the curb. He needed to be home to recuperate from his own injuries, and to help Aimee too after her surgery. He applied for jobs online. Hundreds of them, with no response.
The insurance payout from the accident was barely enough to cover Aimee’s surgery, and Josh could not find a new job. When Aimee recovered enough to find a job as an administrative assistant, he decided to train for a new career in nursing.
Then Aimee’s pain started—terrible, unremitting pain. Aimee knew she had to continue to work until Josh finished school, and she didn’t tell him how bad the pain was, and how it increased every day. She consulted various doctors and was incorrectly diagnosed and prescribed medicines that did not work.
Finally the pain became so bad that she could no longer work. After months, she was finally diagnosed with a rare brain condition called Chiari Malformation, a serious neurological disorder where the bottom part of the brain descends out of the skull and crowds the spinal cord, putting pressure on the brain and spine and causing many disabling symptoms including unremitting 10+++ pain, difficulty walking, sleep problems, and a pulsating “whoosh-whoosh” sensation in her head that goes on 24/7.
In August, 2016, Aimee had decompression surgery on her brain. It is not a cure for Chiari, but is supposed to relieve her symptoms. The surgical outcome was complicated when the incision—about 8 inches along the back of her skull— got infected. She needed an additional surgery to address the infection.
Her pain and debilitation are now actually worse. Aimee was always the girl with the positive outlook, full of energy and loved by everyone. Now she struggles with the smallest tasks of daily living and feels isolated and hopeless. She uses a four-wheel walker because her right leg muscles are badly contracted, and she often feels very dizzy and unbalanced. The whole right side of her body (from the top of her head to her toes, including her arm, hands and fingers) feels like it has been repeatedly punched, and is covered with horrible bruises and cuts. It feels so real that she catches herself looking to see if she actually does have cuts and bruises on her body. The constant “whoosh-whoosh” sound is still there.
Aimee and her husband have had no income for more than a year. During that time they have been completely dependent on one relative on minimal social security who has depleted her savings account to help them just barely get by.
Aimee has seen more doctors since the surgery in an effort to resolve her unrelenting pain and other physical issues. She also needs to take many medications. Because of their financial situation, Aimee and Josh are not able to install ramps and grab-bars, which would at least make the house safer. Aimee has been denied disability income, even though she so clearly deserves it.
Aimee would rejoice if she could have just one moment when she felt normal. She prays she will find a doctor who will be able to help her, but at the moment financial concerns are utmost in her mind. They are going to be a one-income family, so the main thing right now is for Josh to finish school to get a decent job again, one with health insurance that will cover Aimee’s medical care. It’s their best hope for their future.
This is a young couple who have done everything you’re “supposed” to do, yet they have had one setback after another. Aimee’s health issues and their dire financial situation is the biggest challenge they have ever had to face. They’re so tired of fighting with all they’ve got to get their lives back to normal.
The purpose of this campaign is to help the family get through the next year, to begin to chip away at their backlog of bills, and continue Aimee’s care. They need your help, and would be so grateful. Every donation helps, and if you cannot donate, please share this story, and please pray that Aimee finds a doctor who can help her! Any amount that you can give will be greatly appreciated. Thank you to everyone who reads, donates, shares, or prays for Aimee and Josh.
Any funds received beyond the goal will be donated for much-needed Chiari Malformation research to http://www.asap.org.
Organizer and beneficiary
Aimee Grey
Beneficiary