Help Al with his TMS treatment
Donation protected
Hi, I'm Al Taylor.
If you know me, I've been very open about my struggle with chronic depression over the last 17 odd years. I've tried many approaches, medications and treatments. to varying degrees of success. This year I have had a bout of depression the likes and length of which I haven't experienced in many years. I've decided to look at more treatments as my current one is coming up on 10 years old.
In recent years I've become aware of TMS (Trans-cranial Magnetic Stimulation), which has been shown to have a reasonably high success rate in alleviating symptoms for long periods (in rare cases permanently). Specialists from Black Dog Institute, including Professor Loo, have been lobbying to have TMS put on Medicare for some time and in November this year it's being added, though details are yet to be finalised.
TMS is very expensive. Having only been able to work for 3 days a week (often less) for the last 9 years to manage my depression (and not at all for about 8 years before that) I have no savings. Even with support from Medicare the treatment will likely be a heavy financial burden for me.
I'm kind of embarrassed to ask for help to get this treatment; but on reflection, I've always been scathing of blokes who never ask for help, even when they obviously need it, until it's far too late for them. So I've painted myself into a corner where I have to put my lack of money where my mouth is and set up this crowd funding to ask for help.
My treatment start 15th of November. I'll be regularly reporting my experience of TMS through my Facebook page for anyone interested to see how it goes and to raise awareness of depression treatment and TMS. I've always been very open about my struggle and raising awareness of mental health issues, particularly (though not exclusively) for men.
After my treatment I'll be assessing my ability to return to work and the work load I'll be able to shoulder. Hopefully that will be around February 2022. It's likely that I could use some support in my job search too.
Hopefully if I've ever been an insight to or an assistance to you or someone you know with depression, and are able to, you'll find it within yourself to add to my crowd funding.
Please look over the articles on TMS to find out more.
Organizer and beneficiary
Al Taylor
Organizer
Box Hill South, VIC
Krystal Egdell
Beneficiary