Help Alex get medical treatment
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Alex Radovan is a 23 year old passionate go-getter who lives a vibrant life and is always trying to contribute in a meaningful way. Alex is the eldest of three children and has spent the better part of her growing up years in Donnybrook and Bunbury, Western Australia. In 2014 she travelled to Nepal with a small group of students from Avondale College of Higher Education to assist an aid organisation develop better responses to disasters in rural areas. A week into this trip she was struck down with viral meningitis and spent one week in a Kathmandu hospital before being flown back to Australia. Since then her health has not fully returned but Alex fought against the odds to complete her university degree in June 2015 and then attend Big Lake Youth Camp in Oregon U.S.A. as a mentor for young women.
Alex’s goal after graduation was to complete a masters in cultural studies at the University of Sydney. However, when she returned from the U.S.A. her concern for her health disrupted this dream and she was forced to move back to Western Australia to be surrounded by family during this uncertain time. She is unable to work or care for herself independently. Alex still has hope for a future filled with adventure despite her current struggle with illness. Her goal is to return to the U.S.A., hike to Mount Everest base camp, and eventually work as an organisational psychologist helping women fulfil their greatness in the work place.
Since October 2015 Alex’s health has continued to deteriorate resulting in several lengthy hospitalisations at Fiona Stanley Hospital and St John of God Hospital Bunbury, as well as a variety of medication trials and multiple medical appointments. She has been diagnosed with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) and Fibromyalgia as a result of contracting viral meningitis. Currently she is under the care of a cardiologist and an excellent GP who has experience treating patients with this condition.
POTS is a debilitating and frustrating illness that varies from day-to-day, causing extreme fatigue, migraines, and gastrointestinal issues as well as affecting heart rate and brain function. Alex can’t spend much time upright because her heart rate increases dramatically and she often faints without warning. Alex has a severe form of POTS with a very wide range of symptoms that can include partial paralysis of her limbs at times, which consequently causes her to be confined to bed for extended periods.This condition is due to the body being in a constant state of sympathetic overdrive (the fight or flight response). The continuous and regular medical treatment that Alex is receiving is traumatising and barely keeps her autonomic nervous system functioning. It is critical Alex receives specific and advanced treatment that will re-train her brain to self-regulate and help her reduce her reliance on expensive and acute medications.
We want Alex to return to normal life and achieve her goals as a vibrant, high-functioning and passionate woman. We need your help to raise AUD$40,000 to send Alex to the POTS and Dysautonomia Treatment Centre in Dallas, Texas, U.S.A. The goal of this program is to gain control of the autonomic nervous system without using invasive therapy or medication. Whilst this treatment is not a cure, it will give Alex hope for a better future as she learns techniques that will help her body more effectively manage the symptoms of a damaged nervous system. This is the only medical centre world wide offering such life-changing treatment. Alex will take part in a two week intensive treatment program.
Despite the trials Alex faces, she continues to remain positive and is determined to overcome the challenges associated with living the rest of her life with POTS. We really appreciate the time you have taken to read this and thank you for considering donation. The aim is to reach our goal of AUD$40,000 by August 15, 2016.
Alex’s goal after graduation was to complete a masters in cultural studies at the University of Sydney. However, when she returned from the U.S.A. her concern for her health disrupted this dream and she was forced to move back to Western Australia to be surrounded by family during this uncertain time. She is unable to work or care for herself independently. Alex still has hope for a future filled with adventure despite her current struggle with illness. Her goal is to return to the U.S.A., hike to Mount Everest base camp, and eventually work as an organisational psychologist helping women fulfil their greatness in the work place.
Since October 2015 Alex’s health has continued to deteriorate resulting in several lengthy hospitalisations at Fiona Stanley Hospital and St John of God Hospital Bunbury, as well as a variety of medication trials and multiple medical appointments. She has been diagnosed with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) and Fibromyalgia as a result of contracting viral meningitis. Currently she is under the care of a cardiologist and an excellent GP who has experience treating patients with this condition.
POTS is a debilitating and frustrating illness that varies from day-to-day, causing extreme fatigue, migraines, and gastrointestinal issues as well as affecting heart rate and brain function. Alex can’t spend much time upright because her heart rate increases dramatically and she often faints without warning. Alex has a severe form of POTS with a very wide range of symptoms that can include partial paralysis of her limbs at times, which consequently causes her to be confined to bed for extended periods.This condition is due to the body being in a constant state of sympathetic overdrive (the fight or flight response). The continuous and regular medical treatment that Alex is receiving is traumatising and barely keeps her autonomic nervous system functioning. It is critical Alex receives specific and advanced treatment that will re-train her brain to self-regulate and help her reduce her reliance on expensive and acute medications.
We want Alex to return to normal life and achieve her goals as a vibrant, high-functioning and passionate woman. We need your help to raise AUD$40,000 to send Alex to the POTS and Dysautonomia Treatment Centre in Dallas, Texas, U.S.A. The goal of this program is to gain control of the autonomic nervous system without using invasive therapy or medication. Whilst this treatment is not a cure, it will give Alex hope for a better future as she learns techniques that will help her body more effectively manage the symptoms of a damaged nervous system. This is the only medical centre world wide offering such life-changing treatment. Alex will take part in a two week intensive treatment program.
Despite the trials Alex faces, she continues to remain positive and is determined to overcome the challenges associated with living the rest of her life with POTS. We really appreciate the time you have taken to read this and thank you for considering donation. The aim is to reach our goal of AUD$40,000 by August 15, 2016.
Organizer
Alexandra Radovan
Organizer
South Bunbury, WA