Amanda's Journey with MS - One Step at a Time...
Donation protected
Hello, my name is Amanda Stemmann, I have Multiple Sclerosis and live in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
I would like to purchase a Bioness L300 Go to help me cope with the effects of Multiple Sclerosis (MS). The device is not covered by insurance, can only be ordered from the United States and is very expensive. The price also fluctuates based on the exchange rate for the Canadian and US dollar at the time.
My MS has progressed slowly over the years since I was diagnosed. For several years, I've had foot drop, which is common for people with MS. With foot drop, signals from my brain that tell my toes to lift are blocked, causing my right foot to drag when I walk. This makes it harder for me to manage stairs and other uneven surfaces. As a result, daily walking can become exhausting at times which makes me more vulnerable to tripping, falling and even more relapses.
To help with foot drop, I hope to purchase a device called Bioness L300 Go. The L300 Go sends a low-intensity electrical pulse down a nerve that runs from my knee to my ankle each time I raise my right leg to walk. That pulse forces my foot to flex upward, so my toes don’t drag.
I was able to test a Bioness L300 Go in the MS Clinic physical therapy unit as well as at the Alberta Orthotic & Prosthetic Center. It was an amazing feeling from the first step I took with the device attached below my knee and on my upper thigh. Once the physiotherapist was able to adjust the programing to work with my natural rhythm and gait and I began walking unassisted, it brought tears to my eyes (in all honestly… I do tear up quite easily and equally so for positive events and news). I never thought I would feel that natural feeling of being able to walk again with no worries or fears. I did not need to think about each and every step, think about where there is something or someone to hold onto, or think about how far I could go before I am tired. I didn’t have to think that each step I take may be a risk for a fall or injury. This device was able to lift up the front of my foot, preventing me from dragging it, help keep my foot straight and inline avoiding any twisting at my ankle. I only used it for maybe 30 minutes and once the nerves and excitement settled, I realized I was able to just breath and walk… One Step at a Time…
Canadian Health Care and my insurance has been great with many of the medications I have been on over the years, but they will not cover devices such as this one that can actually help me keep by independence, possibly improving my mobility and maintain my quality of life.
I am asking for donations to help pay for the Bioness L300 Go. Any amount is greatly appreciated, any sharing or passing my information on to others who may be able to share or help, helps just as much! Please contribute in whatever way you can or feel comfortable doing.
The money raised here will go towards two purposes:
1. Purchasing the Bioness L300 Go System plus thigh cuff, which with the current exchange rate currently costs $10, 656.08 in Canadian dollars (see attached letter with quote).
2. Paying for supplies required to keep the Bioness working (monthly purchase of electrodes at approximately $25, bi-annually battery replacement at approximately $100 and potential re-programming of the functional electrical stimulation system). Physical therapy to configure and set up the device to work with my muscles as well as follow up visits are included with the purchase of the device for the first three months.
I will include links at the bottom providing referrals and quotes, product information, videos and more.
Thanks for helping to keep me walking!
***For those of you that do not know me personally or would like to learn some more about my story, please feel free to read “My Life & Journey with Multiple Sclerosis”:
My Life & Journey with Multiple Sclerosis
By Amanda Stemmann
I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1999 at the age of 19.
I was just starting University at the time working towards a degree in Special Needs Education. A career path I had chosen by the time I was in the first grade which was largely inspired by younger brother who was born with Cerebral Palsy. I grew up with a single mother (for many years), who fought against all odds at times to ensure her son would be given equal opportunities for success and be included with his peers in the mainstream education system. Over the years I grew up advocating for my brother and his peers, always looking for ways and options to ensure he was happy, included and able to participate in everyday activities. There was always a special place in my heart helping to teach not only children with different abilities but also in educating others in society (children and adults alike) on how to help our world be become more inclusive. Becoming a Special Needs Educator in the main stream education system was where I knew I needed to be…
Several months into starting my post-secondary education, I started to experience symptoms that were later confirmed to be a diagnosis of Relapsing Remitted MS. My first symptom was numbness and tingling in my right hand and arm. Several weeks later, my ankle gave out when I tried to get out of bed and continued with weakness and numbness in my right leg. I would receive sharp shooting pains in my back and everything below my shoulders would go tingly and numb if I bent my neck forward. One evening working my part time evening job in a local pharmacy, I lost sight in my left eye. It did not return for 48 hours. I went to the University Medical Center and was referred to an internist followed by a neurologist. My diagnosis was confirmed in May of 2000.
I never let my diagnosis discourage me and was not willing to give up on my career goals. It took one year longer than usual but I completed my degree and went on to fulfill by dream of becoming a teacher and helping others. I taught for 4 years and even though my disease showed some progression I was determined to live the life I had dreamt of - which included to start a family. With my amazing husband by my side our family grew over the years welcoming 4 beautiful and healthy children. The challenges and limitations of my MS guided me to choose a path more suitable for me to be able to stay home raise my children, care for myself, and continue to help support the family by working from home. I decided to set up and run an educational dayhome to provide a safe and educational home away from home for other children while being able to raise our own.
Aside from MS and my brother’s CP, our family was also faced with some other very difficult challenges. In January of 2014, our mother was diagnosed with terminal stomach cancer. At the age of 56, she and our amazing step-father always had and still continued to care for my brother full time who has not only always been fully dependent upon them, but was also a grown adult at the age of 33 at this time. After exhausting all possibilities and treatments to extend her life, our mom passed in October of 2014 at the age of 57 years old.
Despite, challenge after challenge, I have always tried to remain positive. I always believe that everyone is fighting a battle that no one knows anything about. I always told myself that it could be worse… other people (even my brother had more difficult struggles than myself). In recent years, upon lots of self-exploration and thought, I have come to accept that “pain” is “pain”, “struggle” is “struggle” and “hurt” is “hurt”. There is no comparison, everyone feels and lives their own and no ones’ is better or worse… they are just all real…. Real to them and real to their families…
I have managed to live with my MS over the past 20 years thanks to the help of several amazing Disease Modifying Treatments and medications. Despite medical advancements in medications, I have had many health challenges and several relapses over the years. Most recently I struggle with drop foot as I mentioned in the introduction. I have had several falls and injuries as a result. My day to day life has changed dramatically due to my drop foot. Walking has not only become physically exhausting at times but also dangerous for possible trips and falls. I have tried several other options such as braces, AFO’s, walking sticks and canes however they are all very limiting with regards to my independence and lifestyle.
I want nothing more than to continue working with children, helping families have a safe place for their little ones to grow and develop as well as being able to continue to care for my own family. Our children are now aged 6-13 and are all very active in soccer. After running dayhome from 7am to 5pm daily, I spend my evenings (7 days a week), driving and attending soccer practices, academy, games and events. My husband works out of town and helps every minute he is home with us.
The Bioness L-300 Go will allow me to maintain my independence for all activities of my daily life. It can also facilitate muscle re-education, prevent/retard disuse atrophy, maintain or increase joint range of motion, and increase local blood flow. Clinical evidence suggests that NESS L300 users may also improve gait symmetry, increased walking speed, and improve stability. This device will enable me to engage in both basic and instrumental activities of daily living, which may also reduce secondary complications and improve my quality of life.
I have never asked for help before because I honestly always felt that there is someone who needs it more…
… and while I still believe that to be true… I also have come to terms that I am 40, that 40 shouldn’t be old yet…, that I have lots of people who depend on me, I have lots of things that I still want to do and accomplish, and I deserve not to have to give up yet…
Thanks in advance to everyone who took the time to hear my story and for your support in every way…
Thanks for helping me One Step at a Time...
Sincerely,
Amanda Stemmann & Family
[email redacted]
Here is a link to one of my referrals letters for the Bioness L300 Go System with a current quote:
https://documentcloud.adobe.com/link/track?uri=urn%3Aaaid%3Ascds%3AUS%3Afac2b648-b9ef-48c7-b695-cd48c692c3b1
If you want to know more about the Bioness L300 Go, here are some links:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=1b-URaUWWCs
http://www.l300go.com
http://www.bionessuniversity.com/l300go
https://youtu.be/gNl89pmURpA
https://multiplesclerosisnewstoday.com/2017/09/26/ms-test-walking-the-new-bioness-l300-go/
I would like to purchase a Bioness L300 Go to help me cope with the effects of Multiple Sclerosis (MS). The device is not covered by insurance, can only be ordered from the United States and is very expensive. The price also fluctuates based on the exchange rate for the Canadian and US dollar at the time.
My MS has progressed slowly over the years since I was diagnosed. For several years, I've had foot drop, which is common for people with MS. With foot drop, signals from my brain that tell my toes to lift are blocked, causing my right foot to drag when I walk. This makes it harder for me to manage stairs and other uneven surfaces. As a result, daily walking can become exhausting at times which makes me more vulnerable to tripping, falling and even more relapses.
To help with foot drop, I hope to purchase a device called Bioness L300 Go. The L300 Go sends a low-intensity electrical pulse down a nerve that runs from my knee to my ankle each time I raise my right leg to walk. That pulse forces my foot to flex upward, so my toes don’t drag.
I was able to test a Bioness L300 Go in the MS Clinic physical therapy unit as well as at the Alberta Orthotic & Prosthetic Center. It was an amazing feeling from the first step I took with the device attached below my knee and on my upper thigh. Once the physiotherapist was able to adjust the programing to work with my natural rhythm and gait and I began walking unassisted, it brought tears to my eyes (in all honestly… I do tear up quite easily and equally so for positive events and news). I never thought I would feel that natural feeling of being able to walk again with no worries or fears. I did not need to think about each and every step, think about where there is something or someone to hold onto, or think about how far I could go before I am tired. I didn’t have to think that each step I take may be a risk for a fall or injury. This device was able to lift up the front of my foot, preventing me from dragging it, help keep my foot straight and inline avoiding any twisting at my ankle. I only used it for maybe 30 minutes and once the nerves and excitement settled, I realized I was able to just breath and walk… One Step at a Time…
Canadian Health Care and my insurance has been great with many of the medications I have been on over the years, but they will not cover devices such as this one that can actually help me keep by independence, possibly improving my mobility and maintain my quality of life.
I am asking for donations to help pay for the Bioness L300 Go. Any amount is greatly appreciated, any sharing or passing my information on to others who may be able to share or help, helps just as much! Please contribute in whatever way you can or feel comfortable doing.
The money raised here will go towards two purposes:
1. Purchasing the Bioness L300 Go System plus thigh cuff, which with the current exchange rate currently costs $10, 656.08 in Canadian dollars (see attached letter with quote).
2. Paying for supplies required to keep the Bioness working (monthly purchase of electrodes at approximately $25, bi-annually battery replacement at approximately $100 and potential re-programming of the functional electrical stimulation system). Physical therapy to configure and set up the device to work with my muscles as well as follow up visits are included with the purchase of the device for the first three months.
I will include links at the bottom providing referrals and quotes, product information, videos and more.
Thanks for helping to keep me walking!
***For those of you that do not know me personally or would like to learn some more about my story, please feel free to read “My Life & Journey with Multiple Sclerosis”:
My Life & Journey with Multiple Sclerosis
By Amanda Stemmann
I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1999 at the age of 19.
I was just starting University at the time working towards a degree in Special Needs Education. A career path I had chosen by the time I was in the first grade which was largely inspired by younger brother who was born with Cerebral Palsy. I grew up with a single mother (for many years), who fought against all odds at times to ensure her son would be given equal opportunities for success and be included with his peers in the mainstream education system. Over the years I grew up advocating for my brother and his peers, always looking for ways and options to ensure he was happy, included and able to participate in everyday activities. There was always a special place in my heart helping to teach not only children with different abilities but also in educating others in society (children and adults alike) on how to help our world be become more inclusive. Becoming a Special Needs Educator in the main stream education system was where I knew I needed to be…
Several months into starting my post-secondary education, I started to experience symptoms that were later confirmed to be a diagnosis of Relapsing Remitted MS. My first symptom was numbness and tingling in my right hand and arm. Several weeks later, my ankle gave out when I tried to get out of bed and continued with weakness and numbness in my right leg. I would receive sharp shooting pains in my back and everything below my shoulders would go tingly and numb if I bent my neck forward. One evening working my part time evening job in a local pharmacy, I lost sight in my left eye. It did not return for 48 hours. I went to the University Medical Center and was referred to an internist followed by a neurologist. My diagnosis was confirmed in May of 2000.
I never let my diagnosis discourage me and was not willing to give up on my career goals. It took one year longer than usual but I completed my degree and went on to fulfill by dream of becoming a teacher and helping others. I taught for 4 years and even though my disease showed some progression I was determined to live the life I had dreamt of - which included to start a family. With my amazing husband by my side our family grew over the years welcoming 4 beautiful and healthy children. The challenges and limitations of my MS guided me to choose a path more suitable for me to be able to stay home raise my children, care for myself, and continue to help support the family by working from home. I decided to set up and run an educational dayhome to provide a safe and educational home away from home for other children while being able to raise our own.
Aside from MS and my brother’s CP, our family was also faced with some other very difficult challenges. In January of 2014, our mother was diagnosed with terminal stomach cancer. At the age of 56, she and our amazing step-father always had and still continued to care for my brother full time who has not only always been fully dependent upon them, but was also a grown adult at the age of 33 at this time. After exhausting all possibilities and treatments to extend her life, our mom passed in October of 2014 at the age of 57 years old.
Despite, challenge after challenge, I have always tried to remain positive. I always believe that everyone is fighting a battle that no one knows anything about. I always told myself that it could be worse… other people (even my brother had more difficult struggles than myself). In recent years, upon lots of self-exploration and thought, I have come to accept that “pain” is “pain”, “struggle” is “struggle” and “hurt” is “hurt”. There is no comparison, everyone feels and lives their own and no ones’ is better or worse… they are just all real…. Real to them and real to their families…
I have managed to live with my MS over the past 20 years thanks to the help of several amazing Disease Modifying Treatments and medications. Despite medical advancements in medications, I have had many health challenges and several relapses over the years. Most recently I struggle with drop foot as I mentioned in the introduction. I have had several falls and injuries as a result. My day to day life has changed dramatically due to my drop foot. Walking has not only become physically exhausting at times but also dangerous for possible trips and falls. I have tried several other options such as braces, AFO’s, walking sticks and canes however they are all very limiting with regards to my independence and lifestyle.
I want nothing more than to continue working with children, helping families have a safe place for their little ones to grow and develop as well as being able to continue to care for my own family. Our children are now aged 6-13 and are all very active in soccer. After running dayhome from 7am to 5pm daily, I spend my evenings (7 days a week), driving and attending soccer practices, academy, games and events. My husband works out of town and helps every minute he is home with us.
The Bioness L-300 Go will allow me to maintain my independence for all activities of my daily life. It can also facilitate muscle re-education, prevent/retard disuse atrophy, maintain or increase joint range of motion, and increase local blood flow. Clinical evidence suggests that NESS L300 users may also improve gait symmetry, increased walking speed, and improve stability. This device will enable me to engage in both basic and instrumental activities of daily living, which may also reduce secondary complications and improve my quality of life.
I have never asked for help before because I honestly always felt that there is someone who needs it more…
… and while I still believe that to be true… I also have come to terms that I am 40, that 40 shouldn’t be old yet…, that I have lots of people who depend on me, I have lots of things that I still want to do and accomplish, and I deserve not to have to give up yet…
Thanks in advance to everyone who took the time to hear my story and for your support in every way…
Thanks for helping me One Step at a Time...
Sincerely,
Amanda Stemmann & Family
[email redacted]
Here is a link to one of my referrals letters for the Bioness L300 Go System with a current quote:
https://documentcloud.adobe.com/link/track?uri=urn%3Aaaid%3Ascds%3AUS%3Afac2b648-b9ef-48c7-b695-cd48c692c3b1
If you want to know more about the Bioness L300 Go, here are some links:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=1b-URaUWWCs
http://www.l300go.com
http://www.bionessuniversity.com/l300go
https://youtu.be/gNl89pmURpA
https://multiplesclerosisnewstoday.com/2017/09/26/ms-test-walking-the-new-bioness-l300-go/
Organizer
Amanda Stemmann
Organizer
Calgary, AB