Help for Mark & Susie: Medical and Life Expenses
Donation protected
Early 2020 was a difficult situation and transition into the unknown for all of us, but for Mark and Susie Redmond February of that year came with an extra set of challenges. After noticing some abnormalities in Mark's foot, he and Susie knew that as a Type 2 diabetic it was imperative he see a doctor.
From February until June of 2020, Mark was misdiagnosed with Lymphedema and was therefore incorrectly treated. That misdiagnosis led to more issues but finally got him to the right specialist who in November of 2020 correctly diagnosed him with Charcot Foot which is the collapse of bones and foot structure. That wound specialist began proper treatment and Mark became non-weight bearing and was no longer able to work.
In December of 2020, Mark began six weeks of daily, in-home IV antibiotics due to Osteomyelitis and remained non-weight bearing. From December through January 2021 he was seen twice a week by a Limb Preservation Specialist in Phoenix, about an hour from their home in Apache Junction, AZ. Those visits were for a Total Contact Cast (or TCC) treatment, continued antibiotics and he remained non-weight bearing still.
In February of this year, thanks to some small improvements, his TCC treatment was reduced to once a week but he is still unable to walk. Thankfully he's able to get around with the help of a knee scooter but that must soon be replaced by an electric mobility scooter to aid in movement.
There are plenty of other details to go along here but this is the gist of it: Mark and Susie are hardworking and gracious people. As they're always the first to dish out help however and wherever they can, but never ones to ask for it themselves, we've taken on that role for them. Since Mark is unable to walk or drive himself anywhere, Susie has taken on the role of full time caregiver and that has left her also unable to work for months. They've gone as long as they can on what savings they had, inadequate health insurance and very little in the way of Social Security for Mark. At this point they have less than one month of bills left in savings but of course the financial responsibilities won't stop just because they need a hand. So this is where this huge and giving community comes in.
There are a couple bright spots here! They've finally received approval from Medicaid who are going to step in and cover medical expenses from this point forward which is a massive relief. Mark's improvement, while slow, is also cause for optimism and if things stay on track Susie is hoping to return to work 6 months from now. But that leaves them with 6 months worth of living expenses and no sure way to make ends meet.
Those living expenses break down to about $3,000 per month and include gas to and from Phoenix, groceries, housing and utilities, car insurance/payment and phone bills.
There is also a total of $5,000 in medical costs they're responsible for before Medicaid stepped in and approximately $2,000 in costs for a set of stairs at the front and rear of their mobile home that need to be replaced as soon as possible for Mark's safety and mobility.
We know that so many people are in need of help, now more than ever. But we also know that we could no longer sit back and watch the uncertainty and worry overtake these two without at least trying to help. It's not lost on us that $25,000 is no small ask. It's giant. And it's enough to help relieve 6 months of pressure and cover costs that they just simply cannot afford.
No matter how you may be able to help, whether financially, or sharing their need with others you know, it won't go unappreciated or unnoticed. Thanks for your time and we'll continue to update this campaign with new info as often as we are able.
From February until June of 2020, Mark was misdiagnosed with Lymphedema and was therefore incorrectly treated. That misdiagnosis led to more issues but finally got him to the right specialist who in November of 2020 correctly diagnosed him with Charcot Foot which is the collapse of bones and foot structure. That wound specialist began proper treatment and Mark became non-weight bearing and was no longer able to work.
In December of 2020, Mark began six weeks of daily, in-home IV antibiotics due to Osteomyelitis and remained non-weight bearing. From December through January 2021 he was seen twice a week by a Limb Preservation Specialist in Phoenix, about an hour from their home in Apache Junction, AZ. Those visits were for a Total Contact Cast (or TCC) treatment, continued antibiotics and he remained non-weight bearing still.
In February of this year, thanks to some small improvements, his TCC treatment was reduced to once a week but he is still unable to walk. Thankfully he's able to get around with the help of a knee scooter but that must soon be replaced by an electric mobility scooter to aid in movement.
There are plenty of other details to go along here but this is the gist of it: Mark and Susie are hardworking and gracious people. As they're always the first to dish out help however and wherever they can, but never ones to ask for it themselves, we've taken on that role for them. Since Mark is unable to walk or drive himself anywhere, Susie has taken on the role of full time caregiver and that has left her also unable to work for months. They've gone as long as they can on what savings they had, inadequate health insurance and very little in the way of Social Security for Mark. At this point they have less than one month of bills left in savings but of course the financial responsibilities won't stop just because they need a hand. So this is where this huge and giving community comes in.
There are a couple bright spots here! They've finally received approval from Medicaid who are going to step in and cover medical expenses from this point forward which is a massive relief. Mark's improvement, while slow, is also cause for optimism and if things stay on track Susie is hoping to return to work 6 months from now. But that leaves them with 6 months worth of living expenses and no sure way to make ends meet.
Those living expenses break down to about $3,000 per month and include gas to and from Phoenix, groceries, housing and utilities, car insurance/payment and phone bills.
There is also a total of $5,000 in medical costs they're responsible for before Medicaid stepped in and approximately $2,000 in costs for a set of stairs at the front and rear of their mobile home that need to be replaced as soon as possible for Mark's safety and mobility.
We know that so many people are in need of help, now more than ever. But we also know that we could no longer sit back and watch the uncertainty and worry overtake these two without at least trying to help. It's not lost on us that $25,000 is no small ask. It's giant. And it's enough to help relieve 6 months of pressure and cover costs that they just simply cannot afford.
No matter how you may be able to help, whether financially, or sharing their need with others you know, it won't go unappreciated or unnoticed. Thanks for your time and we'll continue to update this campaign with new info as often as we are able.
Organizer and beneficiary
Ryan Workman
Organizer
Brea, CA
Sue Redmond
Beneficiary