Help Kim get medical care to get better!

Hi,

This is Brad (a friend of the family) and Kayla (Kim's eldest).

For many of you, this is the first you're hearing about Kim's declining health. Kim has a slew of complicated immune issues which may be Covid-related.

So far the toll includes: chronic sinusitis, ocular rosacea, aqueous deficiency (dry eye), meibomian gland dysfunction, neurogenic rosacea, and the mental strain and exhaustion of having to live in isolation, on a restricted diet, with every day a mixture of pain and tedious medical process.

This has been going on for around a year. At first, she curtailed some of her hiking, canceled outdoor events in the wind and the cold, and cut back on many things - food, social outings, etc. She has been to visit many specialists and through batteries of tests. Now, Kim spends most of her waking hours with her eyes closed. She is secluded, and forced to avoid sunlight, breezes, and pollutants - things most of us take for granted as part of day to day life.

Kim gave Kayla a hug recently, and just that gesture of love triggered a painful outbreak. Crying is painful and requires the application of ice packs. Sometimes her eyes feel like they are full of broken glass. Kim said "I can't show affection any more."

For months, Kim has bravely tried to handle things on her own, going so far as to drive to New York every two weeks to see an ophthalmologist whose regimen has finally brought her some relief. She recognizes she can't do this on her own anymore. Kayla has taken unpaid leave from her work as a biologist in Alaska to help with her mom's care in Maine.

Kim is feeling low, but there's a lot to be hopeful for.

Even if you can only donate a little, or can send a note of love, we deeply appreciate it. The isolation and mystery are some of the biggest daily challenges of this disease.

That said, we do need help defraying the costs of customized eye medication and specialist visits.

The first three months of a promising medication, Omalizumab, total $11,200, and we will likely be forced to pay out of pocket. This is the tip of the iceberg. Most of the treatments (IPL and probing) and medications for dry eye (serum drops and PRP drops) are not covered by insurance.

However much you can offer, know it is met with the deepest gratitude.

Together we help Kim get back on track to living a beautiful life - making amazing crafts, caring for others with deep compassion, and climbing mountains!