Help Improve Carrie’s Quality of Life

Hello, I am starting this fundraiser for my mother Carrie and grandparents Ken and Nancy. My mother was diagnosed with Progressive Multiple Sclerosis and quickly became wheelchair-bound and dependent upon others for all her needs. In April 2024, she was abandoned by her caregiver for several days and was found unconscious on the bedroom floor by a friend. Paramedics revived her, and she was admitted to the hospital. My mother was found to have pneumonia, damage to the throat causing difficulty in speaking and swallowing, anemia, and a variety of MS-related symptoms due to several years of non-medical care. After 2 weeks in the hospital, she was transferred to a Skilled Nursing Facility. During her stay at the SNF, it was found that she had some muscle strength in her arms and legs. The staff said that with physical therapy and medical care, she would be able to get back some core strength and hand coordination. We knew it was going to be a long battle, but after 2 months in the SNF, my grandparents decided to discharge her and move her to Florida to live with them.

For the last 6 months, my grandparents have taken my mother to all her medical and rehabilitation appointments such as Primary Care, MS Neurologist, Gynecologist, Hematologist, Urologist, Podiatrist, Eye doctor, Dentist, and an ENT physician, Physical Therapy three times a week, Speech Therapy twice a week, Occupational Therapy once a week, and Vision Therapy once a week. In addition, they have taken care of all personal hygiene needs, supplies, and living expenses.

My grandparents bought a hospital bed, a new wheelchair, a leg massage machine, a Hoyer lift for inside the house, a Milton Hoyer lift for the car, and many adaptive tools such as an iPad and stand to magnify print and audio read, occupational tools for coordination and independent life skills. They financed a larger car that would support the Milton car lift and have room for the wheelchair.

My mother’s insurance is limited and does not pay the co-payments for physicians, tests, or rehab. Her Ocrevus 2024 copayment was $6200.00. My grandparents do not receive any state, county, or federal assistance and the 2024 expenses (excluding the vehicle) were $40,000.00.

This year’s (2025) known costs include:

• Dental expenses for 2 crowns, 6 cavities, 1 chipped tooth repair, and cleaning.

• Ocrevus co-payments.

• Physical Therapy, which is now self-pay (no insurance).

• Shower renovation for a roll-in shower.

• Wheelchair bathroom sink.

• MRI co-pay.

• Personal hygiene and care supplies.

• A wishful item - pool lift for getting into the pool to help with non-stress aligning of the body for standing.

My mother has improved noticeably since moving to Florida. She feeds herself with adaptive utensils, brushes her hair and teeth, goes to church with my grandparents, and uses a scooter for outside walks when accompanied by another person. Her core strength is getting better, but she is still unable to sit up without back and side support. Her hand and eye coordination is better, but she is still having difficulty in everyday activities such as dressing, washing, and writing.

My mother’s goals are to stand and transfer from chair to bed safely, speak louder and clearer for others to understand her, eat food that is not mechanically soft and moist, swallow without choking, and to dress and bathe herself. My grandparents’ goals are for Carrie to have the best quality of life possible, to regain her dignity and self-confidence.

Thank you for your support and prayers.