Help Me Afford Treatment to Heal From Traumatic Brain Injury

Hi, I’m Mandolin, and I need your help. Four years ago, my life changed in an instant. A traumatic brain injury (TBI) left me disabled and chronically ill overnight. Since then, I have fought every single day—just to survive.

Before my injury, I was an adventurer, a global retreat leader, and someone who thrived in nature—hiking, surfing, rock climbing, and practicing yoga. But now, even the simplest tasks, like eating, getting dressed, or brushing my teeth, require 28.6 hours of in-home support each week.

I haven’t just battled the physical and emotional toll of my injury—I’ve also had to fight against a broken healthcare system that has failed me.

I have been neglected, dismissed, and left without reliable care. I have open cases with Disability Rights of Maine and Adult Protective Services due to medical neglect. The lack of stability has led to additional falls, hospitalization, losing housing twice, and living in constant fight-or-flight mode.

I come from a disadvantaged socioeconomic background and do not have financial or housing support from my family. Without resources or a safety net, I have been left to fight this battle alone. The system that was supposed to help me has only held me back.

I am exhausted. I am struggling. But for the first time in four years, I have a real chance to heal.

The Breakthrough Treatment That Could Change Everything

For years, doctors told me this would be my life forever—that I needed to accept my disability because recovery wasn’t possible.

But now, for the first time, a functional neurology team in Portland, Maine, is saying something different.

Not only do they believe I can improve, but they are confident that I can make a full recovery in just six months.

This is the chance I was told I would never have. This is my one shot at getting my life back.

How Your Support Will Change My Life

This treatment isn’t just about surviving—it’s about reclaiming my independence, my health, and my future.

With the right care, I can:

✅ Regain my independence: I want to take care of myself, and do everyday tasks without depending on others.

✅ Return to my work: I want to share my gifts and skills with the world again, helping others as I’ve always done.

✅ Reconnect with my loved ones: I miss spending quality time with family, playing with my dog, and one day building the life and family I’ve always dreamed of.

✅ Enjoy the simple things: I want to bend down without pain or passing out, be able to walk up stairs without my heart rate spiking to dangerous levels, to ride in a car without getting physically sick and simply live without constant struggle.

✅ Support other TBI Survivors: If I’m able to make a full recovery, I will share this resource with others while raising awareness about TBIs.

This is not just about making life a little easier—it’s about getting my life back.

Why I Urgently Need Your Help

I have been accepted into treatment and can start as soon as I raise the necessary funds.

However, I will need to temporarily relocate from Waterville, ME, to Portland, ME, for six months to complete this intensive, daily treatment program.

I am covering as much as I can through a payment plan, but I still need help with:

• Medical treatment costs (daily sessions, specialized care, and therapies)

• Temporary housing for six months in Portland, ME

How You Can Help

I am asking for your support so I can finally receive the care I need to heal.

Donate – Every dollar makes a difference. Anything you can give gets me closer to recovery.

Share – Please share this campaign with your friends, family, and social media to help spread the word.

Follow My Journey – I will post updates here so you can see the impact of your generosity in real time.

For the first time in years, I have hope. But I can’t do this alone.

Thank you for being part of my journey to healing. Your support is truly life-changing. You can hear directly from me HERE in the YouTube video I created.

With deep gratitude,

Mandolin Badger

P.S. March is Brain Injury Awareness Month. If you want to learn more about my treatment, I’ve included some resources below on functional neurology and hyperbaric oxygen therapy—key parts of my recovery plan.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Functional Neurology Rehab