Emery Werth is a spunky, 10 year old girl who is loved by her entire family and wants what any girl wants- to run and play with friends/family, go to school, and just to enjoy being a kid. Emery has always been small, and is the baby of her family (the youngest of 4), but has always been happy and healthy until now.
Over the past several years, Emery has not wanted to eat. At first, it was deemed "picky," but as time has gone on, her size and lack of ability to gain weight have been a struggle. Recently, medical tests showed that she needed medical intervention due to her weight and failure to thrive. Being 10 years old and severely underweight, the standard methods that parents/families try to get their children to eat simply aren't working. The issue has become out of Emery's control to the point that she needs medical help.
Emery was diagnosed with ARFID, a type of eating disorder that is not related to body image, but to an aversion to food, even when food is available. It's not in her control, and it's something that requires medical assistance and intensive therapy. In a sense, she has to learn how to eat again.
Unfortunately, their health plan classified this diagnosis as mental and not medical, even though she needs medical support in order to survive. As you can imagine, this news is frustrating, disheartening, and scary, considering that financial burden should never be a determinate for a child to receive the medical attention they need.
Emery will be admitted to an eating disorder treatment facility in the metroplex. The cost is astronomical, and her parents live in east Texas, so they will also incur the expense of travel to visit her each day during visiting hours. She will be admitted to a residential facility, where she will remain for 3-4 weeks and continue outpatient treatment for another 4 weeks afterward.
The financial toll this will take on their family is significant. Both Trent and Elizabeth (her parents) are successful, have good careers, and would never feel they would "need" to ask for assistance.
However, the significant cost of this program without insurance assistance is devastatingly expensive and causes an enormous amount of additional stress on the family. The "what ifs" are real- but this is Emery's only option, and her needs and health are of the utmost importance.
If you are able, we are asking for any support possible in order to ease some of their financial burden and cost of medical expenses. We appreciate prayer for Emery and her family as they all go through this period of adjustment and treatment. Anything you could offer would be greatly appreciated and will go directly towards the cost of her treatment
Thank you so much, and the entire family appreciates your support.