Help Gabe Get Life-Changing Treatment

Our oldest son, Gabe, has been struggling with serious health issues for over a year. For most of that time, doctors have been baffled by his condition, and symptoms keep getting worse. Gabe suffers from constant severe headaches and dizziness that affect his ability to walk and participate in normal daily activities. He experiences memory episodes, during which he doesn't recognize his own home or family. These episodes are incredibly distressing for him, causing much fear and anxiety as he tries to figure out who/where he is. His diet has become limited due to new food intolerances and a lack of hunger cues, causing him to lose weight. He experiences violent involuntary muscle contractions that affect an entire leg or arm and also his neck. These contractions can last minutes or hours, causing a great deal of pain. Gabe has also developed sensory issues that cause heightened sensitivity to noise, light, and touch. These sensory issues severely limit the activities in which Gabe can participate and the places he can go.

For over a year, we've felt helpless as doctor after doctor was unable to help our son. After exhausting all of our resources at home, we've turned to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, for help. The doctors there have been amazing. Gabe has received a diagnosis of Functional Neurological Disorder and we are now on the road to receiving a diagnosis of an autoimmune disorder. There is no "cure" for either of these disorders, only treatments to deal with symptoms. The doctors at the Mayo Clinic are offering Gabe the chance to participate in a three and a half week rehabilitation program. They believe that this program will help Gabe regain the ability to participate in normal daily activities and live a somewhat normal life. However, the medical and travel costs associated with a nearly month-long program are substantial, and we need help to make this opportunity a reality for our son.

As a mother, it has broken my heart to watch my son miss out on so much. His first year of high school was nothing like we imagined for him. All we want is for him to be able to go to school and participate in his favorite activities...theater and choir...just like any other teenager. We hope that you will consider donating to our fundraiser to help get Gabe to Minnesota for his treatment program.

Cost Breakdown:

Lodging in Minnesota for 3 1/2 weeks: $2,500.

Our Out of Pocket cost for the Mayo program: $18,000.

Lab Testing: $1,000