Hi, my name is Megan and I am raising funds for Christy Mader's recovery. In June 2021, Christy suffered a severe concussion while taking part in one of her favourite outdoor activities, climbing. This injury meant that she was unable to work, drive, exercise, read, cook, or even carry much of a conversation. Many of you helped support Christy, Danny and their boys with meals, transportation and other aid during this very hard time. I'm reaching out to ask for your help again.

Christy's symptoms improved, but never fully returned to normal. It turned out that there was pre-existing trauma to her neck sustained through 2 car accidents she was involved in (one hit as a cyclist and the other as a pedestrian), as well as her many years of competing on the ultimate field. Her acute concussion symptoms improved but she continues to suffer from chronic, debilitating migraines, nerve pain and instability in her neck, as well as affected vision, mobility, and strength. The neck instability affects her nervous system, causing additional symptoms, like rapid heart rate, slowed digestion, and impaired hormone production, and further aggravates others, like making her more prone to migraines. These physical, cognitive and emotional effects drastically alter Christy’s ability to carry out everyday activities, making work, her roles as a partner and parent, the ability to enjoy play, coach, and sleep nearly impossible.

Christy has spent 3½ years rehabilitating - consulting with numerous practitioners, trying many new treatments and procedures, and doing a huge amount of personal work and discovery to create a new normal and find a way back to health. Through this, two pain specialists referred Christy to the Centeno-Schultz Clinic in Colorado, USA for a PICL (percutaneous implantation of the CCJ ligaments) - an involved and complex procedure done on the transverse ligaments and other upper cervical ligaments in her neck. In Christy’s case, there was too much to tackle in a single visit so she has now undergone two of these procedures. The cost of the procedures, associated imaging, and travel has already cost roughly $53,000. These expenses are not covered in any part by the Canadian Health Care System. Not only are they not covered, Christy has to accept the physical and financial risk of any complications and the huge impact on her ability to work.

She has seen major progress from both procedures but still has nerve pain and instability with her neck ligaments that need to be addressed in a third procedure, this time a cervical platelet-rich plasma (PRP) spinal procedure with Dr. Patel in California. The estimated cost of this next procedure is $35,000.

Paying these medical expenses on top of the family's living costs is a significant challenge - this is something our community can do to help. To me, Christy is a friend, supporter, workout buddy, teammate and leader. Since I met Christy in 2012, I've witnessed her selflessly supporting others - offering treatments to students, teammates, climbing friends, and acquaintances who are looking for improvements in health or performance, coaching in her community, and hosting the best and most epic Christmas tea parties. Her efforts in cultivating community and developing connections are present everywhere she goes - now it's our turn to show her our support. Please consider helping Christy and her family by raising funds for the extreme medical costs she is facing on her journey back to functional health and wellness (nevermind the badass world’s-level athlete she is capable of!).

PLEASE CONTRIBUTE IF YOU’RE ABLE, AND SHARE WITH YOUR COMMUNITIES!

Thank you so much for your time, consideration and generosity in helping Christy on her journey back to health.