Cassi’s ARFID Battle Fund

Hello Loved Ones! Where has Cassi been? How is she doing? 

The thing I love the most is giving to others. Writing this out alone is going to be hard because I prefer to be the helper! However, I have just been diagnosed with Adult ARFID, and my disease is rare, hard to treat, and will require me to go full inpatient for the next 6-8 weeks (UPDATE 3-4 MONTHS) I am very sick :(. I will be leaving this afternoon so that Chaddy can get me all set up in the morning at Eating Recovery Center in TX. After talking to Chad and my besties it was clear that I needed to do this psychologically so that I don't feel the guilt of the cost over me while in treatment. I will be unable to work during this time of treatment and feeling bad about weekly out-of-state travel costs for my family will slow down my progress. I know many of you will feel the urge to do something to help or ask how you can help, and this is how.

I am here today to humbly ask you to help us with our travel fund during this extremely difficult time. Your gift will be used to cover gas and hotels for Chaddy, Sky, and Wes while I am in treatment. I also have Venmo @Cassi-Selby 6276. As you know when I fundraise for others I always say no amount is too small.

For those of you who don't know me, I am already handicapped thanks to a surgeon I can't talk about. My left leg was intentionally paralyzed at John Hopkins in 2020, and I have had approximately 25 different surgeries and procedures since October 31st 2106. When I got my Covid vaccination I had a very severe reaction (I still highly advocate that you get vaccinated and I continue to boost even though I get sick.) So, for the last two years, I have been uncontrollably losing weight despite trying extremely hard to keep it on, and our only answer was something with the vaccine, so that is exactly what we have been treating for the last two years. Unfortunately, we have been treating the wrong thing. 

FORTUNATELY, we know why now. I currently weigh 80 pounds, and it is not my fault or my family's fault, but we are going to work hard as a family to fix it. ARFID is extremely rare in adult women, and there are only two places in the country that can treat it. Chad, especially, deserves a lot of support during this time, because he is being super Chaddy right now and holding down the fort during audition season, Skylar's thesis, driving 3 hours round trip to be in Drowsy Chaperone with Wes at Southwest Playhouse after work, and then an additional 6 hour round trip drive to visit me. Honestly, if anyone deserves a Vacation it's Chad! He has been so busy taking care of me that we have not been anywhere or able to do anything for himself since 2016.

I am EXTREMELY excited about going into treatment, because we finally have an answer, and I am ready to start looking like myself again:

I will have access to my phone and all of that fun stuff in the evening, but I will likely be using that time to check in with my family and at home support group. So, I will be using this page to update you on my progress as I go through this journey. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO ME that questions on how my recovery is going do not go through Wes and Sky, but through Chad or here. This is going to be extremely difficult for them as it is.

That being said, I want you to know I am comfortable with you telling your kids what is going on. Mental health is health, and it is ok to go and get better! There is nothing wrong with being sick and getting help no matter how old you are. We have got to destigmatize these things for our children/teens so they can be bold in the future, and learm to take care of their mental health starting at a young age.

Honestly friends, this has all been very shocking process. Everything we thought was going on with my health has been turned upside down in just a few weeks. I love and miss you all dearly. I want to come back and play theatre, Disney, and tie dye with you. Your support will lift the one burden that is making me feel icky, and help me learn that I have a wide net of support and love during this time for my 

 family.

I will be away from electronics for my first 48 hours of intake, and then I will pop in and give you an update :) Sending so much love to you all, as it will be heartbreaking to be away, but necessary if you want me around for a while so I can continue to give <3

XX

Cassi

PS- I can also get sail mail which I really really love! Let me know if you want my temporary address! Here are a few things that will help you write to me and not feel like you are saying the wrong thing :)