Eliza's Fight for a Better Life
Donation protected
There is no greater pain than watching a child suffer. Eliza Ellis has battled through devastating, life altering health issues as a child. She was living her life as a teenager, when at age 16, she woke up one day with an ear infection. Her family never could have guessed where that would lead. She began to experience difficulties in walking, speech regression, dystonia (a movement disorder with uncontrollable, jerky movements and painful muscle spasms), anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, hallucinations and severe OCD. School was no longer possible. In addition, she now falls frequently and has had two concussions. Her life and the lives of her family have been turned upside down. She can no longer be left alone.
Eliza is 18 years old now. For the past two years, her parents, Mike and Vicki Ellis have poured their heart and souls into trying to give their daughter her life back. Initially, Eliza was misdiagnosed with psychogenic non-epileptic seizures and when her symptoms did not improve, the doctors gave them little hope. More recently hope has been given back to them when they were told Eliza has PANDAS.
PANDAS or Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Strep, which occurs when a simple strep infection causes susceptible children to produce antibodies that attack their own brain, rather than the bacteria. Although, seemingly rare, specialists are now recognizing this disease and a form of treatment involving antibody infusions has given Eliza and her family hope. This link gives you a preview of what PANDAS is:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dw07OwY-ETk&t=3s
A single infusion of fresh antibodies, called IVIG is derived from thousands of donors. Eliza will start with one infusion, but in some cases, it takes up to three infusions to see results. Doctors will give her fresh antibodies, so that her body’s immune system will start to function normally again. Although some states cover this infusion, the insurance that Eliza’s family has in Wisconsin does not. Each infusion costs $30,000.00. This amount must be paid before the treatment is given. The goal of this campaign is to raise this money so that the family will be able to get this treatment for Eliza. The date Eliza is eligible to receive the IVIG treatment is June 14, 2019, which is also her birthday.
Prior to having the infusion, Eliza had to have her tonsils and adenoids removed. She had this done on May 3, 2019. This will reduce the chance of strep settling in her throat and a PANDAS relapse in the future. After the IVIG treatment, Eliza must be very careful to treat any future strep infections immediately with a 14 day course of strong antibiotics. If she does not, she will get her symptoms back. She would need another IVIG treatment to get fresh antibodies into her to reset her system again.
The stress of watching your child suffer is horrible. Mike and Vicki would do anything to help Eliza. They are amazing parents.The financial stress of missed work and unpaid medical bills for Mike and Vicki has made life so much harder for them. The last thing that they should be stressed about is mounting finances. Vicki has had to quit work so that she can stay home and care for Eliza full time. Please help us reach our goal to allow Eliza the opportunity to receive the care that she so desperately needs so that she can have a more fulfilled life. Any contribution is so greatly appreciated. Thank you for your support and prayers.
Eliza is 18 years old now. For the past two years, her parents, Mike and Vicki Ellis have poured their heart and souls into trying to give their daughter her life back. Initially, Eliza was misdiagnosed with psychogenic non-epileptic seizures and when her symptoms did not improve, the doctors gave them little hope. More recently hope has been given back to them when they were told Eliza has PANDAS.
PANDAS or Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Strep, which occurs when a simple strep infection causes susceptible children to produce antibodies that attack their own brain, rather than the bacteria. Although, seemingly rare, specialists are now recognizing this disease and a form of treatment involving antibody infusions has given Eliza and her family hope. This link gives you a preview of what PANDAS is:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dw07OwY-ETk&t=3s
A single infusion of fresh antibodies, called IVIG is derived from thousands of donors. Eliza will start with one infusion, but in some cases, it takes up to three infusions to see results. Doctors will give her fresh antibodies, so that her body’s immune system will start to function normally again. Although some states cover this infusion, the insurance that Eliza’s family has in Wisconsin does not. Each infusion costs $30,000.00. This amount must be paid before the treatment is given. The goal of this campaign is to raise this money so that the family will be able to get this treatment for Eliza. The date Eliza is eligible to receive the IVIG treatment is June 14, 2019, which is also her birthday.
Prior to having the infusion, Eliza had to have her tonsils and adenoids removed. She had this done on May 3, 2019. This will reduce the chance of strep settling in her throat and a PANDAS relapse in the future. After the IVIG treatment, Eliza must be very careful to treat any future strep infections immediately with a 14 day course of strong antibiotics. If she does not, she will get her symptoms back. She would need another IVIG treatment to get fresh antibodies into her to reset her system again.
The stress of watching your child suffer is horrible. Mike and Vicki would do anything to help Eliza. They are amazing parents.The financial stress of missed work and unpaid medical bills for Mike and Vicki has made life so much harder for them. The last thing that they should be stressed about is mounting finances. Vicki has had to quit work so that she can stay home and care for Eliza full time. Please help us reach our goal to allow Eliza the opportunity to receive the care that she so desperately needs so that she can have a more fulfilled life. Any contribution is so greatly appreciated. Thank you for your support and prayers.
Organizer
Vicki Ellis
Organizer
Oconomowoc, WI