Help Skylar and Hayden Pay Medical Bills

In 2019 I was diagnosed with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS). It was mild, and I didn't need very much assistance. Over the next two years it would get progressively worse and worse, until now- I need a wheelchair to prevent falls and I've also been diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Type 3 (Hyper-mobile EDS or hEDS). I've visited the Emergency room more times than I can count because of unstable heart arrhythmias, dehydration, and joint dislocations. 

As for my twin, Hayden, they also have hEDS and POTS. It mostly affects their small joints (wrists, hands, etc.) and they had to start Occupational Therapy for their hand and wrist, which our insurance is refusing to cover. 

The bills have now totaled to a bit over $6,000, but I want to raise $6,000 in order to cover the majority of it and take the load off our family. 

I am ineligible for SSDI or SSI but still trying. I have utilized every possible resource, and I am still barely able to afford phone service, rent, food, and my life saving medication, as well as treatment for the hEDS which includes physical therapy. My medications are over $300 a month, and my copays for therapy and physical therapy and other medical appointments are over $200 a month.

I have an application in process for SSI now- and I am contacting VT Legal Aid about my problems/ineligibilities as well. I need as much help as I can get. I've also applied for a $2,500 loan to pay expenses for the next few months at least. 

I've been contacting AT programs to try and get a temporary manual wheelchair, but I have had no luck so far. 

We have set up payment plans of paying $100-$200 per month to UVMMC, on the 15th of every month. If we could raise even $200 by the end of February it would help immensely. 

There are other ways to help: if you are able to donate a wheelchair I could use in the meantime while I work with NuMotion to receive my custom manual chair,  that would be amazing. We are based in Burlington, VT. If you are able to donate vegetarian food, or help us find a disability advocate who can help me apply for SSDI or SSI and actually win my case, that would be amazing. We are running out of resources to utilize and it's scary. I'm facing either leaving college as a result of my illness, or going into extreme debt to survive. UVM has cut so many services that would be helpful now, and sadly I don't have the ability to constantly research places for grants or donations. 

Any resources you know of in or around Burlington, VT would be an amazing help.



This photo is an example of a bad POTS day. My blood pressure drops extremely low and my heart rate jumps to 160+ from standing up. 

I pass out frequently, as I've developed a tolerance to my medication that causes extreme swings in blood pressure and heart rate, which are dangerous long term. My body is already deteriorating as a result of the amount of walking I am forced to do as a student. It feels like I am in a constant flare. 

Unfortunately, this is fairly urgent, as my phone bill is due Feb. 27 and my rent is due March 1. I was just hired for work study and will be receiving bi-weekly paychecks, but I cannot exceed $900 in earnings. 

If you can share, donate, or help find resources, I'd be forever grateful. Thank you for taking the time to read this and share it. It means a lot, however much you can give.