- J
Dear friends,
I need your help.
In October 2018 I had back surgery to treat severe pain and weakness due to a herniated disc and other spinal disease. While the intent of surgery was to improve my quality of life, instead I have been faced with a series of post-surgical complications that have resulted in life-altering challenges.
We were initially reassured that these complications would be temporary, but despite months of physical therapy, multiple rounds of imaging, countless visits to specialists, and additional invasive procedures there has been very little improvement.
My complications leave me with unrelenting pain and its consequences - loss of sleep, decreased appetite, extremely limited mobility, and the inability to easily perform many basic activities of daily living. Despite a broad and caring team of medical professionals there is no confident prognosis or timeline for recovery. Some days bring small victories, others worsening and heavier challenges.
As difficult as this is, I continue to fight. For the people that I love who are burdened by stress and worry; for my career as a veterinarian, which I am intensely passionate about and have worked my whole life towards; for my patients and clients who I would love to see again; for my work family that is amazingly supportive and whom I miss every day; and for a future that is less bleak than this day.
As medical costs remain high and I am unable to work I am asking for your help, please.
Urgent Goals:
- Travel, lodging, and medical costs for recommended consultations with out of state specialists - $4000
- A specialized wheelchair to help with pain and mobility - $5000-8000+
- Assistance with medical bills - over $2000 (more to come)
- Adjustable bed to help mitigate pain during the night - $3000-5000
- Access to appropriate medications ~$1000/month
If you have any questions, or resources available that are not specified on the list above (airline miles, neurology recommendations at Mayo and/or Cleveland clinic, knowledge about wheelchair types, travel tips for managing pain and a wheelchair, etc), please reach out!
Thank you for taking the time to read my story. Please share this page as much as you are comfortable! Anything you can contribute will be immensely appreciated, no matter the number.
Thank you again.
All of my best, Ben
I need your help.
In October 2018 I had back surgery to treat severe pain and weakness due to a herniated disc and other spinal disease. While the intent of surgery was to improve my quality of life, instead I have been faced with a series of post-surgical complications that have resulted in life-altering challenges.
We were initially reassured that these complications would be temporary, but despite months of physical therapy, multiple rounds of imaging, countless visits to specialists, and additional invasive procedures there has been very little improvement.
My complications leave me with unrelenting pain and its consequences - loss of sleep, decreased appetite, extremely limited mobility, and the inability to easily perform many basic activities of daily living. Despite a broad and caring team of medical professionals there is no confident prognosis or timeline for recovery. Some days bring small victories, others worsening and heavier challenges.
As difficult as this is, I continue to fight. For the people that I love who are burdened by stress and worry; for my career as a veterinarian, which I am intensely passionate about and have worked my whole life towards; for my patients and clients who I would love to see again; for my work family that is amazingly supportive and whom I miss every day; and for a future that is less bleak than this day.
As medical costs remain high and I am unable to work I am asking for your help, please.
Urgent Goals:
- Travel, lodging, and medical costs for recommended consultations with out of state specialists - $4000
- A specialized wheelchair to help with pain and mobility - $5000-8000+
- Assistance with medical bills - over $2000 (more to come)
- Adjustable bed to help mitigate pain during the night - $3000-5000
- Access to appropriate medications ~$1000/month
If you have any questions, or resources available that are not specified on the list above (airline miles, neurology recommendations at Mayo and/or Cleveland clinic, knowledge about wheelchair types, travel tips for managing pain and a wheelchair, etc), please reach out!
Thank you for taking the time to read my story. Please share this page as much as you are comfortable! Anything you can contribute will be immensely appreciated, no matter the number.
Thank you again.
All of my best, Ben