Help Julianna Tackle Spondyloarthropathy
Donation protected
My physical condition has created a financial strain for my husband and I, and we’re fundraising for the medical expenses.
I have suffered from chronic pain and fatigue since May 2019. It began only a few weeks after I started my travel business – and the symptoms appeared manageable at first. They weren’t for very long, and I needed to spend fewer and fewer days with my business. We began a multi-year journey to discover what is happening to my body. Back then, the doctors couldn’t put a name to my symptoms. We grew more alarmed as the pain progressively spread from my wrists, to my elbows, knees, neck, fingers, toes, shoulder blades, tailbone, jaw, and SI joint. I was forced to close my business at a financial loss.
We continued to pay for treatment and diagnosis as my work-life disintegrated. After closing the travel business, I continued to work part-time as a swim instructor, but eight hours a week was all my body could handle. Sadly, I had to stop doing that as well. The physical toll was too much. In the past two years, I’ve made many attempts at other types of work, but, despite numerous accommodations, each proved too much for my body.
We tried turning to Social Security Disability but were unsuccessful. I submitted an appeal, but the process can take around three years to even get an answer.
My inability to work has created a financial strain for us, and beyond that, we’ve faced over $8000 in medical costs.
The expenses are far from over. In March 2021, the doctors identified a likely diagnosis (spondyloarthropathy), but the search for an effective treatment continues.
If you are willing and able to assist financially, your donation would be put towards the following: x-rays, MRIs, physical therapy, bloodwork, mouth appliance for jaw pain, food sensitivity testing, trigger point injections, corticosteroid shots, medications, treatments, and doctor appointments.
I have suffered from chronic pain and fatigue since May 2019. It began only a few weeks after I started my travel business – and the symptoms appeared manageable at first. They weren’t for very long, and I needed to spend fewer and fewer days with my business. We began a multi-year journey to discover what is happening to my body. Back then, the doctors couldn’t put a name to my symptoms. We grew more alarmed as the pain progressively spread from my wrists, to my elbows, knees, neck, fingers, toes, shoulder blades, tailbone, jaw, and SI joint. I was forced to close my business at a financial loss.
We continued to pay for treatment and diagnosis as my work-life disintegrated. After closing the travel business, I continued to work part-time as a swim instructor, but eight hours a week was all my body could handle. Sadly, I had to stop doing that as well. The physical toll was too much. In the past two years, I’ve made many attempts at other types of work, but, despite numerous accommodations, each proved too much for my body.
We tried turning to Social Security Disability but were unsuccessful. I submitted an appeal, but the process can take around three years to even get an answer.
My inability to work has created a financial strain for us, and beyond that, we’ve faced over $8000 in medical costs.
The expenses are far from over. In March 2021, the doctors identified a likely diagnosis (spondyloarthropathy), but the search for an effective treatment continues.
If you are willing and able to assist financially, your donation would be put towards the following: x-rays, MRIs, physical therapy, bloodwork, mouth appliance for jaw pain, food sensitivity testing, trigger point injections, corticosteroid shots, medications, treatments, and doctor appointments.
Organizer
Julianna Clayton
Organizer
Phoenix, AZ