Rally for Ryan's Recovery

Hi folks!

I’m looking for donations to help me reach a $2000 goal to pay for out-of-pocket expenses related to Dr. Abdallah, one of my medical specialists. Please see my previous fundraiser description below for more info on how critical his care is for my health.

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Seven years ago, if someone asked me if I thought I would be disabled and dependent on public benefits programs, I would have thought they were joking around.

That’s because, throughout my life, I’ve been very physically active and healthy. I’ve played sports, lifted weights, practiced kung fu, hiked frequently, played drums, and became a personal trainer.

But in 2016, my life began to change drastically as I struggled with increasingly challenging health issues. Three years later, a surgery left me with a major health decline that took away my ability to work.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, I’ve been wheelchair bound and dependent on caregivers to help me with most of my needs, such as laundry, shopping, cooking, and housekeeping, to name a few.

Learning to accept my dependency has been extremely hard. As someone who loved being active, I tried to get better through movement and exercise but that only resulted in fatigue, weakness, muscle pain, and more. As my abilities lessened, I lost my identity and became deeply sad and lonely. I grew frustrated and anxious while receiving little help or direction from doctors to deal with my prolonged pain and weakness. I also had to cope with both the denial of insurance coverage for necessary care and my inability to financially support myself.

All this led to two years of deep depression, and it often took every fiber of my being just to get up and make it through the day. Now, when I feel able, I focus my time and energy on recovery and healing.

After finding Dr. Hasan Abdallah early this year and receiving a successful diagnosis, I am now receiving the correct treatment to help me heal and recover from Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS). With proper treatment, I am now making progress, and I feel like a huge weight has been lifted from my shoulders.

My major obstacles right now are financial. Specifically, I have substantial medical bills as a result of my insurance company denying coverage. My insurance also won’t cover visits to Dr. Abdallah’s clinic next year, or even beyond that. Since I can’t go anywhere else for the care I need, I must continue to pay out-of-pocket. This year, I have accumulated $4,500 in medical bills. The estimate for the next two years, including experimental treatments that I may need, could amount to over $20,000.

Through the months of darkness and struggle, I’ve been able to find opportunities to become stronger and more resilient, and to find happiness, joy, and purpose in different ways. The challenges I’ve faced in getting the care I need have given me the opportunity to learn a great deal about Medicaid, public benefit programs, and many aspects of healthcare and insurance. I want to continue educating myself with the goal of helping others in similar situations.

Once I get on my feet (pun intended!), my plan is to become a professional advocate and resource for individuals with chronic illness and/or disability.

As I strive for good health, and eventually a new profession, your donation will help me receive necessary medical care (~$25,000).

Thank you for reading my story and considering making a donation to help me reach my goals.

With gratitude and love,

Ryan Duffy

https://gofund.me/e2182f57

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