Dancing Despite Illness: Help Fund Bee's Surgery

Bee (they/them/he/him) is a queer, disabled, Neurodivergent dancer, teacher, and choreographer working and living in Seattle, WA. We are raising funds to pay for life-altering surgery that would improve his daily existence and allow him to continue to pursue his reason for being - dancing through it all.

Bee grew up in Chicago and Oak Park, IL, starting dance when they were just three years old. They first became chronically ill at 14, getting diagnosed with Idiopathic Hypersomnia, though this was an incomplete answer. Against all odds, Bee graduated high school and was able to continue their dance education in college at Cornish College of the Arts. There, Bee's disability worsened.

Thankfully, they discovered Dr. David Lyon Kaufman in 2022, an expert in complex, chronic conditions. An amazing doctor, he really listened to Bee's concerns and diagnosed Bee with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS), compromised autoimmunity and more. In addition to a structured, multi-year approach addressing Bee's complex issues, Dr Kaufman urged Bee to consult with his New York colleague Dr. Paolo Bolognese, one of only five specialists who can handle Bee's complex case. After consultation, Dr. Bolognese recommended invasive Intercranial Traction (ICT) testing to confirm Bee's brain stem is being pulled into and pinched by his spine. Unfortunately, Bee's family finances, already strained by ten years of medical expenses and income loss due to disability and COVID, made it impossible for Bee to pursue testing and treatment.

Now, three years later, Bee experiences daily headaches, lapses in an ability to speak, loss of motor control, debilitating fatigue, trouble swallowing, brain fog, chronic pain, inability to hold his head up, and more. He has become severely disabled by his worsening condition and is now an ambulatory wheelchair user. Without the testing and anticipated spinal fusion surgery, his condition will continue to deteriorate.

We are now looking at not only the cost of testing, but also the ensuing treatment, which is a spinal fusion surgery, as well as travel costs to Dr Bolognese who is considered "out-of-state" for insurance, who is one of five neurosurgeons in the world who specializes in treating complex individuals with EDS and Cranial Cervical Instability (CCI).

Anything and everything you are able to donate, or even sharing this fundraiser will mean Bee can get the care he needs, allowing him to continue to do what he loves most - making dance, teaching dance, and dancing. Only 25 years old, living with chronic pain and debilitating symptoms is not the life he imagined, but everyday Bee is grateful to do what he loves.

Fundraiser Breakdown (updated 7/5/25)

Find out more about Bee on his WEBSITE, his INSTAGRAM, or his dance company, HEARTH