Give the Alton's a Helping Hand

Hi my name is Christine and I am fundraising for my dear friend Katie and her husband Shane Alton. I asked Katie to fill in the full details on her story and health struggles.

We are looking for help with medical expenses, groceries, money to help pay for treatment and medication.

I am 34 years old with a husband (Shane) and three doggies. In early 2019 I began to notice strange things happening with my health. Then following a viral illness treated with antibiotics, I began to experience concerning neurological and cardiology symptoms. By September these symptoms began to infect my daily life. By November these symptoms became so debilitating that I had to end my career of 14 years and close down my salon. It was devastating for me. I had worked my whole adult life towards my career and it was over. We went from a two income family down to one.

I suffer from extreme fatigue, tremors, weakness, involuntary muscle movements, small fiber neuropathy, inability to tell temperature, sudden dizziness, migraines, breathing issues, GI issues and heart problems. I can have issues using my hands and feet. My POTS causes me to black out suddenly and by body cannot tolerate exertion. I am not able to drive far or even drive everyday. I never know how I will feel on any given day and there are several days where I have to spend my day resting. Not to mention more.

Over the past two years, I have seen multiple doctors, have had constant testing and have been on multiple different treatments.

In October of 2020 I was hospitalized with Corona Virus. Unfortunately, this caused my body even more damage and has made my conditions worse.

Recently, I lucky enough be seen at the Mayo Clinic. While there I was able to get testing done that I did not have access to here in Colorado. I finally have a confirmed diagnosis Dysautonomia, POTS, Orthostatic Intolerance and I suffer from an inability to metabolize B6 along with small fiber neuropathy. While I am so thankful that I was able to go to Mayo Clinic, it has come at a huge financial expense.

My little family has been through a lot since my health spiraled. We currently live on my husbands salary and although I have applied for disability, that has not come through for me. We are overwhelmed trying to pay medical bills, paying for medication, my new treatment plan and trying to eek out a living.