Paige's Concussion Journey

Hi, my name is Melissa, and I am Paige’s mother. The last two months have been an immense struggle with a rollercoaster of events due to Paige suffering a severe concussion. The struggles are physically, cognitively and emotionally for my sweet daughter. Unfortunately, at this point, without extensive further treatment and support, there is no way of knowing how much longer Paige will have to suffer from the effects of this concussion.

On March 18th, Paige suffered a severe concussion after a freak bout of low blood sugar (she does not have diabetes). It resulted in her fainting, striking her occipital ridge on the back of her head on a curio cabinet, a brick wall corner, and finally landing on a hardwood floor during an alteration fitting for her prom dress. She was rushed to the ER on a backboard and in a C-Collar, in her prom dress no less! We still giggle about that one. She was just grateful they didn’t end up having to cut it off of her! LOL

Paige has been under the care of a concussion specialist since March 22nd, and it has been a rough go. She has chosen to stay at my home full time (permanently), so I can care for her 24/7. With her decision, her father has caused a great deal of upheaval and stress, causing her healing to regress significantly. I have had to withdraw her from school for the semester as she cannot tolerate normal academic activities. She can’t play volleyball or softball, two of her beloved sports. Paige is also struggling to bake and decorate cakes, which everyone local knows has been one of her most extraordinary talents and loves since she was 4yo - having created intricately beautiful wedding and birthday cakes over the last few years. Mind you, Paige is only 15. Not having these activities to fall back on has been heartbreaking for her. To add to her stressors, her boyfriend (with whom she was very close) also broke up with her roughly four weeks into this trial, causing further upset and complications to her healing due to the intense stress and anxiety of the situation.

Every day is a challenge. Some days are great for her (she went to prom with extreme modifications and earplugs or goes to the gym occasionally with intense spotting). In contrast, others are miserable where she is completely isolated and can barely get out of bed due to the fogginess, light/sound sensitivity, and level 8-10 headaches. It is a crapshoot on how each day will be. Lately, it’s been more rough days than good. The toll this is taking on my baby is absolutely heartbreaking to witness. No child should have to give up their health and freedom to live like this.

While this is highly frustrating for her, this dynamic has also been incredibly overwhelming for me as well, being her 24/7 caretaker. Carrying a full-time job at home (I am a full-time life and health coach and have been for many years), I haven’t been able to do much for work since this happened because I can’t schedule anything due to the erratic nature of Paige’s symptoms. In addition, the financial support from Paige’s father has been scant, at best.

To get to the point, I need help in two areas. First, Paige needs intensive therapy that I cannot financially provide, and insurance does not cover it. We are looking into taking her to Provo, UT, for treatment at CognitiveFX. This 2-week treatment alone runs $25,000, on top of travel, food and lodging while we are there. They have cutting-edge technology that we believe will help her tremendously. Their published results have been incredible, and a local family has also taken their daughter there for concussion therapy with outstanding and encouraging results. I am willing to do anything at this point to give my baby girl her quality of life back.

Secondly, I can barely make even basic ends meet right now as her 24/7 caretaker and child support is sorely lacking. I haven’t been able to secure a modification hearing yet for child support. In addition, Paige’s father has not helped at all in her care since March 18th, aside from the occasional menial medical fee here and there. He hasn’t tried to set up a time to see her on her terms where she is most comfortable since March 27th. We need help. We have basic needs such as rent, groceries, utilities, car payments and the like to cover while Paige is recovering and needing round-the-clock care. Monthly bills at my home usually run around $2500, on the high end.

It’s a lot to carry alone, and I am NOT good at asking for help. Frankly, this isn't very comfortable for me to even do. I am highly independent, but as some of my closest women friends have told me, strength is being willing to ask for help rather than trying to be the hero and do it alone. So, if you can find it in your heart to give us a bit of assistance as we navigate this unknown journey, we would greatly appreciate it. Every little bit helps. All I want is for my baby girl to get back the quality of life she deserves to have. She should be out there enjoying her summer with friends, exploring the world around her with excitement and basking in creative energies about her future. Not this. Not this isolated concussion-induced physical, emotional and mental jail.

Please help. Time is of the essence for Paige. Thank you. ❤️