Jason Patten and his family need your help!

Jason Patten, a dear friend of mine since high school, needs our help! If you are from Cuba, New York, then you know Patten. Patten is the most down to earth, easy going, no frills guy who is a devoted husband to his true love, Roxanne, and the most dedicated dad to his two girls, McKennah and Loghann.

In March, Patten was diagnosed with a  medical condition called Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP.) CIDP  is a slowly developing autoimmune disorder in which the body's immune and neuromuscular system attacks the myelin that insulates and protects your body's nerves. The exact cause is not known. Like many autoimmune disorders, the effects can vary.  

When feeling his best, Jason is left with general weakness and numbness that limits what he can do physically for himself, but also for his family. Everyday tasks like getting dressed and feeding himself  have become nearly impossible. Jason can no longer walk long distances nor go up a flight of stairs without assistance. Jason is the sole wage earner and because of CIDP, he has been unable to work since February 5th.  He is part time employee at the United States Postal Service and was patiently waiting to receive a full time position.  When Jason does not work, he does not get paid. Jason's position also does not qualify for him to receive any benefits. This means no sick days, vacation days, or paid time off. Since the USPS is a federal job, Jason is unable to claim state disability or unemployment. Therefore Jason is at the mercy of the social security disability system, which is notorious to process new applications at a snail's pace.  Since Jason is unable to work, he and his family are left with  an extremely limited income. Prior to Jason's diagnosis, life for the Patten family was already incredibly stressful as Roxanne and Jason's youngest daughter, Lohgann, has significant physical disabilities and special needs.  Loghann requires 24/7 care and monitoring due to her life threatening seizures. Roxanne stays home with Loghann to home school her and attend to Lohgann's medical needs. Lohgann's needs alone are significant and now coupled with Jason's newly discovered medical condition, has now placed even more stress (both emotional and financial) on the Patten family. 

Jason's diagnosis seems to, sadly, be following an extreme version of  CIDP resulting in loss of feeling, strength and mobility in his arms, hands, feet and legs. Until recently, Jason was receiving biweekly IVIG treatments to help with the effects of this disorder and the effects seemed to be helping, but left Jason unable to work. Since March, however, Jason's ability to physically move began to decline and the pain intensified. When it is at it's worst, Jason is left confined to a chair or bed. Jason has been hospitalized now twice at Strong Memorial Hospital. The most recent hospital stay was prompted by a blood clot that extended from his groin to his ankle. Jason was forced to stop the IVIG treatment because doctors determined it was this IVIG treatment that caused the clot to form.

During his most recent hospital stay, some family and friends came together to make the Patten home,  a 150 year old two-story house, a little more accommodating. However, their home  is far from being handicap accessible for not only Loghann but now Jason. Without a doubt the Patten family will face a long, difficult road moving forward.  Any contributions to lighten the burden for Roxanne and Jason and ease any  worries to make their ends meet is greatly appreciated. The long term goal is also provide Jason and Roxanne the resources to make the necessary long term improvements to their home, which will accommodate both Jason and Loghann's physical disabilities.  

Thank you for taking the time to learn about Jason's newly discovered medical condition. Help me bring the love and support to the Patten family! 

:) kate