In the endless insanity that is 2020, Melissa has ran into a gigantic speed bump. Melissa has been battling chronic pain for years due to a congenital malformation of her vertebrae in her neck. It has progressed to her cervical vertebrae leading to fear of the disk slipping out of place. If her disk slips out of place, it has catastrophic implications, including paralysis. And her insurance has refused to cover this surgery. Not once, not twice, but THREE times. 

There is degeneration of her other cervical vertebrae and bulging discs that you would expect to see in a 70 year old, not someone in their 20's. She has undergone numerous steroid injections, nerve ablations, physical therapy, pain management, acupuncture, chiropractic manipulations amongst many other treatments and it has come to a point that surgery has become her only option. Melissa is a passionate veterinary technician that relies on her body heavily to perform her job duties. This is an incredibly difficult decision to make at the age of 27 without adding in the additional headache of her health insurance. That’s where this speed bump comes in. 


The insurance company has continued to deny her surgery, citing that she does not fit the criteria for the surgery despite what her physicians office has provided and pleaded. Her provider had noted specifically in his exam that "The fact that she is developing instability above her congenital fusion puts her at a higher risk for potential catastrophic injury should she have an accident or fall". Melissa has significant decreased range of motion in her neck which is inhibiting her to not only do her job, but to function on a daily basis. Things are so difficult that she is now out on disability, as her working is a risk to her own safety. 


Melissa and her family have gotten to the point where delaying the surgery any further could only do more damage. As you can imagine, spinal surgery does not come without a large fee. We are graciously and humbly asking for any and all assistance that anyone can provide to help get Melissa the treatment that she desperately needs. We understand that this is a difficult time for many, but if you could spare us a moment to help us share this so that we are able to get the word across to as many people as we can, we would be eternally grateful. Thank you all so much!