Fighting for Care After a Stroke and Rare Condition No One Believed

Help Barbara Johnson Recover from a Stroke and Rare Diagnosis

Hi, I’m Sammy Wentz, and I’m raising funds for my mom, Barbara Johnson (Pritchett).

A System That Failed Her

Barbara did everything patients are told to do—she reported her symptoms, followed up, and asked for help. But over and over, her symptoms were minimized or misdiagnosed. Even after clear signs of neurological trouble, she was told to take cold medicine.

It took a trip to Mayo Clinic to finally confirm her stroke. Only now is she beginning to receive referrals for rehab, deficit assessments, and answers for risks moving forward—months after the neurological event and while still experiencing serious symptoms.

For many patients—and especially those with rare conditions—this is a pattern. Barbara is one of too many patients forced to fight for basic care while navigating a life-changing medical event.

 What Happened

In April 2025, my mom experienced a terrifying wave of symptoms:

• A sudden, severe nosebleed while preparing Easter dinner

• Intense radiating pain through her neck, cheek, jaw, and head. With a nodule

• Then even scarier symptoms: facial drooping and tingling on the left side of her face

• Confusion and disorientation, including getting lost while driving—even with GPS

She told my aunt, “I think I’m having a stroke.” But because she was still walking and talking, her concerns were dismissed.

That night, she had the worst headache of her life, despite a recent shot for pain. Her symptoms were dismissed again as a “sinus headache”, and she was told to take over-the-counter meds.

A few days later, a CT scan confirmed she had suffered a stroke. But because she never went to the ER and her care was so delayed, some neurologist initially labeled the damage “old”—despite active neurological symptoms and the neurological event that took place just 3 days prior.

No ER visit. No neurologist. No stroke rehab. Just silence, confusion, and overwhelming pain.

 A Rare Diagnosis

A month after the neurological event, Barbara was finally diagnosed with Eagle Syndrome—a rare condition in which elongated bones in the neck press against nerves and blood vessels.

She had suffered symptoms for years—seen multiple specialists—and only now has a clear answer. One of her styloid bones is pressing just 2mm from her carotid artery—a known stroke risk. This condition likely worsened the chain of events that led to her stroke.

Treatment requires bilateral surgery it is VITAL to have a experienced surgeon with moms being the vascular form of Eagles Syndrome. This involves the major blood vessels. Her surgeon needs to be highly qualified operating around these critical vascular structures the most qualified to perform this —Dr. Ryan Osborne in California—does not accept insurance.

The total cost is $68,000 for both surgeries, and that doesn’t include travel, lodging, or recovery.

Why We’re Asking for Help

We’re hoping to raise $40,000. My mom took out a  loan, but it won’t cover everything.

Your donation will help with:

• The remaining surgical and hospital costs

• Travel and lodging in California for two procedures

• Post-op recovery and therapy

• Basic living expenses while she’s unable to work

 Why This Matters

My mom is the strongest person I know. She’s worked hard her whole life, helped others in quiet, unseen ways, and large very noticeable ways never asked for anything—until now.

If you’ve ever felt dismissed by a doctor...

If you’ve ever watched someone suffer while waiting for care...

If you believe your health comes first and you need to find a way...

Please help us give her a way to get the surgery she desperately needs—to remove the stroke risk her elongated styloid process continues to pose. She needs to be safe.

We’ve never done a GoFundMe before, but we’re putting this in your hands now. If you know Barbara personally, please share a memory or kind thought—your words help others feel safe donating, too.

From our hearts, thank you.

– Sammy Wentz & Family.