Christin: Fighting to Live
Donation protected
Hello everyone my name is John Ravizee, and I’m making this page on behalf of Christin Thomas.
Christin is a very spirited and radiant woman who loves the world of the performing arts. She has an intense passion for Ballet and has been dancing since the tender age of 5; almost as long as she’s been able to walk. Dancing, teaching, and the love of her students is what drives her and keeps her going. It helps keep her mind off of the relentless battle she endures everyday just to live. You may know her, but may not fully be aware her story and how she began this journey. Please allow me to share.
Backstory:
It all started at the age of 17 when she was in high school. One day after being injured during cheerleading practice, Christin was taken to the hospital to be treated. While being examined, the doctor discovered that she had developed an autoimmune disease known as Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. The disease has no cure, but she was given ongoing treatment to try and keep the disease in check. Unfortunately the disease was swift. As the days went on it still manifested itself, moving through her body, and eventually honing in on her Kidneys.
One day during a routine doctor’s appointment, the doctor noticed something strange while examining her eyes. He ordered immediate bloodwork to be done and to expedite the results. He said that he would contact her as soon as he received the results. She was a little concerned, but wanted to remain calm and not jump to conclusions. Later that night, her doctor called and informed her that she needed to report to the hospital immediately, her kidneys were failing.
Not even 21 years old and in the blink of an eye her kidneys were gone. She had to begin dialysis three days a week. During dialysis she became extremely frail, was put on a very restrictive diet, and developed Grand Mal Seizures as a symptom from the Lupus. Despite all of this she continued to focus on the positive, and was thankful to be alive. If her kidneys were discovered any later, they would have completely failed and she might have died. The only thing she wanted now, was to receive a kidney transplant so that she may try to enjoy the rest of her young adult years. She underwent dialysis for over a year until it was determined that they had discovered a viable donor for a new Kidney!
The most heartwarming part, is that the new eligible donor was her twin sister! Her sister graciously offered to share her kidney with Christin and donate one to her. A few months later, with the transplant surgery being a success, she received the kidney from her sister and things took a turn for the better. She would have to take various types of medication, including immunosuppressants, for the rest of her life, but that definitely beat the alternative.
Why This Page Was Created:
The medication that she must take is extremely important. It is her lifeline and without it she can’t live. The amount of pills she takes every morning and every evening are in double digits. They help her blood pressure, with seizures, suppress her immune system, and a host of other things. Unfortunately, taking this many pills every single day for an entire month is expensive. A one month supply of just one of her medications can cost just as much as someone’s mortgage or rent. In order to offset these costs, she applied for disability with the Social Security Administration and was accepted. This in turn left her eligible to receive Medicare Insurance which greatly reduces her cost.
Unfortunately, the social security administration recently deemed her no longer disabled because her condition has improved, which resulted in her benefits being taken away. For some reason they fail to realize that the only reason she has improved is due to the benefits that she receives. In the eyes of social security, she should always be considered disabled because she will always need that medication in order to live.
So as of right now, she has no Medicare Insurance and no way to pay for her medication. She is currently going through an appeal process, but with the occasional “run around” and case workers not answering their phone, it’s taking weeks to get anything done, and that’s time she can’t afford to lose.
Recently, because of this problem she went without her medication for 3 weeks. As a result, her transplant kidney started going in to rejection.
Around July of 2018, she was admitted to the hospital for care. It was a tough recovery process but the hospital was able to rehabilitate her and help return the transplant kidney to decent function. The hospital was also able to give her a short supply of her medication. Unfortunately, it won’t last long. Unless they completely restore her Medicare Insurance, she won’t be able get her medication and her transplanted kidney will be in jeopardy.
Regardless of what she goes through everyday, she rarely ever lets any of this get her down or deter her. She constantly has a smile on her face, always willing to help someone, and has an undying love for her dance students.
Right now, Christin needs help. I know she feels embarrassed and a little ashamed that I’m writing this, but she knows she needs it. She was encouraged by the doctors in charge of her care to start a crowdfund in order to get help. Between the medication, hospital bills and lost wages for being out of work, she simply cannot cover all of the expenses that she has right now.
But above all else, what's weighing heavy on her heart the most, is that her twin sister made this sacrifice for her, and she doesn’t want to lose her sister’s kidney.
With that being said, if you are able to donate anything, she would be more grateful than I can possibly ever tell you. Also, whether you are able donate or not, please consider sharing her story. It helps her more than you know.
Christin thanks you all so much for your incredible support, and kindness in her time of need.
Christin is a very spirited and radiant woman who loves the world of the performing arts. She has an intense passion for Ballet and has been dancing since the tender age of 5; almost as long as she’s been able to walk. Dancing, teaching, and the love of her students is what drives her and keeps her going. It helps keep her mind off of the relentless battle she endures everyday just to live. You may know her, but may not fully be aware her story and how she began this journey. Please allow me to share.
Backstory:
It all started at the age of 17 when she was in high school. One day after being injured during cheerleading practice, Christin was taken to the hospital to be treated. While being examined, the doctor discovered that she had developed an autoimmune disease known as Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. The disease has no cure, but she was given ongoing treatment to try and keep the disease in check. Unfortunately the disease was swift. As the days went on it still manifested itself, moving through her body, and eventually honing in on her Kidneys.
One day during a routine doctor’s appointment, the doctor noticed something strange while examining her eyes. He ordered immediate bloodwork to be done and to expedite the results. He said that he would contact her as soon as he received the results. She was a little concerned, but wanted to remain calm and not jump to conclusions. Later that night, her doctor called and informed her that she needed to report to the hospital immediately, her kidneys were failing.
Not even 21 years old and in the blink of an eye her kidneys were gone. She had to begin dialysis three days a week. During dialysis she became extremely frail, was put on a very restrictive diet, and developed Grand Mal Seizures as a symptom from the Lupus. Despite all of this she continued to focus on the positive, and was thankful to be alive. If her kidneys were discovered any later, they would have completely failed and she might have died. The only thing she wanted now, was to receive a kidney transplant so that she may try to enjoy the rest of her young adult years. She underwent dialysis for over a year until it was determined that they had discovered a viable donor for a new Kidney!
The most heartwarming part, is that the new eligible donor was her twin sister! Her sister graciously offered to share her kidney with Christin and donate one to her. A few months later, with the transplant surgery being a success, she received the kidney from her sister and things took a turn for the better. She would have to take various types of medication, including immunosuppressants, for the rest of her life, but that definitely beat the alternative.
Why This Page Was Created:
The medication that she must take is extremely important. It is her lifeline and without it she can’t live. The amount of pills she takes every morning and every evening are in double digits. They help her blood pressure, with seizures, suppress her immune system, and a host of other things. Unfortunately, taking this many pills every single day for an entire month is expensive. A one month supply of just one of her medications can cost just as much as someone’s mortgage or rent. In order to offset these costs, she applied for disability with the Social Security Administration and was accepted. This in turn left her eligible to receive Medicare Insurance which greatly reduces her cost.
Unfortunately, the social security administration recently deemed her no longer disabled because her condition has improved, which resulted in her benefits being taken away. For some reason they fail to realize that the only reason she has improved is due to the benefits that she receives. In the eyes of social security, she should always be considered disabled because she will always need that medication in order to live.
So as of right now, she has no Medicare Insurance and no way to pay for her medication. She is currently going through an appeal process, but with the occasional “run around” and case workers not answering their phone, it’s taking weeks to get anything done, and that’s time she can’t afford to lose.
Recently, because of this problem she went without her medication for 3 weeks. As a result, her transplant kidney started going in to rejection.
Around July of 2018, she was admitted to the hospital for care. It was a tough recovery process but the hospital was able to rehabilitate her and help return the transplant kidney to decent function. The hospital was also able to give her a short supply of her medication. Unfortunately, it won’t last long. Unless they completely restore her Medicare Insurance, she won’t be able get her medication and her transplanted kidney will be in jeopardy.
Regardless of what she goes through everyday, she rarely ever lets any of this get her down or deter her. She constantly has a smile on her face, always willing to help someone, and has an undying love for her dance students.
Right now, Christin needs help. I know she feels embarrassed and a little ashamed that I’m writing this, but she knows she needs it. She was encouraged by the doctors in charge of her care to start a crowdfund in order to get help. Between the medication, hospital bills and lost wages for being out of work, she simply cannot cover all of the expenses that she has right now.
But above all else, what's weighing heavy on her heart the most, is that her twin sister made this sacrifice for her, and she doesn’t want to lose her sister’s kidney.
With that being said, if you are able to donate anything, she would be more grateful than I can possibly ever tell you. Also, whether you are able donate or not, please consider sharing her story. It helps her more than you know.
Christin thanks you all so much for your incredible support, and kindness in her time of need.
Organizer
John Ravizee
Organizer
Portsmouth, VA