Faith Wilson Medical Love Mob

In May of this year, Faith was halted in 5pm traffic on her way to a celebration.  She was only a couple minutes from her home where she had just said goodbye to Zach, her husband of almost 14 years, and her four children: Asher age 12, Ari age 8, Grey age 6, and Indigo age 3. Faith was forcefully rear-ended by another car, which slammed her vehicle into the car sitting in front of her.  While the car she was driving did not survive, we are immensely thankful Faith did.



The accident resulted in herniated and bulging discs in her cervical and lumbar spine.  Over the next several months following the accident, Faith began to experience frightening episodes of convulsions, in addition to the debilitating pain in her spine and neck.  These episodes involve shocking disturbances with her heart rate and intense tremors which hijack her body.  These episodes, which manisfest similar to seizures, began increasing in frequency and intensity, and brought her to the ER twice, and finally 3 days admission into Touro Hospital in New Orleans.  The Neurologist at the hospital diagnosed Faith with nerve damage to her peripheral nerves, resulting in disruption to her autonomic nervous system.  The episodes leave Faith severely fatigued and physically weak, in  intense  pain, disoriented, taking hours to recover.  Sometimes the episodes themselves can last for hours at a time.  

 
Before the accident, Faith was active as a certified yoga instructor, musician and worship leader, constantly on the go with her energetic children, and heavily involved in serving her community.  Since the accident, Faith cannot be left alone, cannot drive, and cannot care for her family and home without assistance and requires a great deal of rest.  The impact of this accident for the entire Wilson family is being felt physically, emotionally, mentally, functionally, financially, and relationally.




The professional outlook is that without the recommended treatment, Faith’s current condition will continue for 1-3 years at best.  Years of this kind of loss, when treatment is available, is simply not acceptable to all of us who love this family.


 The Recomended Treatment:

 Faith is being treated by Dr. Harch at Family Physicians’ Center and has begun Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, which is used for patients with nerve damage and promotes healing of the nervous system. 

Faith will go through 20 treatments over the course of four weeks, Monday through Friday at his clinic in New Orleans, which is an hour and fifteen minutes from her home.  This treatment can help reverse nerve damage, ease pain, and speed recovery of Faith’s spinal injuries. As the nerves heal, Faith’s risk for seizures will reduce.

Dr. Harch is world famous in the field of hyperbaric treatment, and has been treating patients for decades.  He has recently been featured in several national news stories regarding reversing severe brain damage for a child who had drowned through Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy.

Dr. Harch is confident this treatment will help Faith regain her life.

Once Hyperbaric Treatments are complete, Faith will be receiving 2 different types of Infusions with Dr. Mignonne Mary in New Orleans.  These Infusions will help continue to support the health of the myelin sheath surrounding Faith's nerves, and will also support her overall health at the cellular level. 



The Financial Need is Urgent.

Excluding prior outstanding medical bills, ($17,000 and counting… The Wilson's are still receiving invoices, and have not yet received the Touro Hospital bill) and other incidentals, we have estimated that in order for Faith to pursue further treatment she will need:

$5,500 (HBOT for 4 weeks plus Dr’s Fees)

$2,000 (Infusions for 2 weeks)

$600 (Cost of Travel for 6 weeks)

$1,900 (Childcare and housekeeping for 6 weeks)

Immediate Need Total: $10,000  

Those of us who are close the Wilson’s have set a goal to raise a minimum of $15,000. 

Many people have asked how they can participate in helping the Wilsons and contribute to Faith receiving the medical help her doctors are recommending. This is the moment for all of us to surround the Wilsons and let them know they are not alone in the battle for Faith to regain her life.

We believe in the power of  community rallying around the Wilsons and that every gift given in love, no matter how small will be crucial in meeting this need.   

Faith began receiving HBOT on Monday, 9/18/2017, and we are already seeing positive results.

In order for Faith to begin the second week of treatment, it is crucial that we begin generating funds for the family immediately.  Ideally, a GoFundMe campaign would have been launched weeks ago, but Faith’s medical diagnoses and treatment needs were still being assessed and determined.  



I recently was driving with Faith’s oldest child, her 12 year old son Asher. We were talking together about his mother,  our optimism around the upcoming treatment,  and how it could transform the situation their family has been facing.  Asher revealed to me that he was concerned about how his parents would pay for the necessary medical care. 

I want to share with you what I said to Asher, but I believe it is exactly what any of us would have told him. 

 


I told Asher his family was not alone; they would never be alone in this story.  The past 5 months of Faith’s life have been filled with pain, suffering, and loss, but pain, suffering and loss will not have the last word.


I told Asher that his community of friends near and far are going to surround his family, and will generate an outpouring of financial love around the family quickly and fiercely  in order for Faith to continue treatment.  I told him many people have already asked how they can help financially. I explained that when a mob of people gather together, we become strong and capable. We share resources. We can make sure all of our needs are met and everyone is cared for.
   
We know that when we look back on this time in Faith’s life, this will not be the story of Faith’s car accident and resulting injury.

They have been surrounded by their family and close friends for months while Faith and the doctors worked together to determine the necessary treatment, but now it is time for that circle to expand.

This will be the story of all of us, a  mob of compassion and love which surrounded Faith, Zach, Asher, Ari, Grey and Indi with more support, resources and devotion than they could have ever imagined.  

We need more love stories in this world.

You are invited to join this story of love, healing, and restoration.

 This is a story we all will now have the privilege  to help write.

 Let's make it a good one.




Additional ways you can participate:

Your Culinary talents! This family of 2 adults and 4 kids is going to need to eat dinner.  To sign up for a night of feeding the hungry Wilsons: 
TAKE THEM A MEAL

 
Your Chauffeur Skills! Volunteer your time and wheels to help Faith get to appointments.  There will be days that Faith will need transportation to see the team of professionals who are helping her recover and heal. If you have day that you are available to be with Faith and help her get to appointments, it will make such a difference!

 
Your Playful Energy! Volunteer to spend time with the Wilson kids. Faith and Zach need help caring for the children while Faith is receiving treatment. 


Your Presence!  If you know Faith, then you know she is all about relationship and connection.  Notes, phone calls, prayers, hugs, and compassionate ears are emotional and spiritual oxygen to Faith. Your positive energy, hope, and faith funneled her way will carry her and her family through this journey of healing.




Any and all questions surrounding Faith's journey of healing are welcome.  Feel free to contact me and I'll respond as quickly as possible. I will be posting frequent updates to Faith's story as well. 

Faith will also be sharing her story on her personal blog. Make sure you have the tissues on hand:

http://summersandsorrows.com/blog/fighting-for-my-life