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My name is Tanya Harrison, and I am a Mars scientist and science communicator who uses my platform on Twitter (@tanyaofmars ) to talk about Mars and what it's like being a scientist with a physical disability: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS). I strive to give visibility to a community that is often overlooked and share what life is like openly to inspire other people dealing with disabilities and chronic illnesses to pursue their dreams.
Last summer I finally had life-changing surgery on my right hip to repair damage done from my condition, giving me me back the ability to walk, which I'd slowly been losing over time.
However, this surgery ended up being very expensive out-of-pocket due to seeing a specialized surgeon who pioneered the particular surgery that I had. All of the associated pre-op, post-op radiation treatment and physical therapy, Uber costs to/from appointments, etc., have added up to approximately $20,000 out of pocket. Additionally thanks to limited insurance coverage of things classified as "chemotherapy" by my insurance company, I've had a pile of costs from Remicade infusions that I had at the Mayo Clinic to help treat the ankylosing spondylitis.
I'm chronically terrible at asking for help, but these medical bills are drowning. So, I've created this GoFundMe to help cover some of these costs to help climb out.
The funds from this GoFundMe will go toward: Surgery costs, post-surgery radiation treatment, pre-surgery MRI, pre- and post-surgery x-rays, pre-surgery steroid injection into my hip joint, physical therapy co-pays, transportation costs to appointments, medication, post-surgery equipment costs (i.e., wheelchair, crutches, leg circulation air pressure sleeves, and a stationary bicycle for recovery therapy at home), and Mayo Clinic infusion charges for the Remicade.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. It's been a huge mental hurdle for me to become okay with the thought of asking for help, and putting yourself out there can be terrifying.
Learn more about ankylosing spondylitis: YouTube
Last summer I finally had life-changing surgery on my right hip to repair damage done from my condition, giving me me back the ability to walk, which I'd slowly been losing over time.
However, this surgery ended up being very expensive out-of-pocket due to seeing a specialized surgeon who pioneered the particular surgery that I had. All of the associated pre-op, post-op radiation treatment and physical therapy, Uber costs to/from appointments, etc., have added up to approximately $20,000 out of pocket. Additionally thanks to limited insurance coverage of things classified as "chemotherapy" by my insurance company, I've had a pile of costs from Remicade infusions that I had at the Mayo Clinic to help treat the ankylosing spondylitis.
I'm chronically terrible at asking for help, but these medical bills are drowning. So, I've created this GoFundMe to help cover some of these costs to help climb out.
The funds from this GoFundMe will go toward: Surgery costs, post-surgery radiation treatment, pre-surgery MRI, pre- and post-surgery x-rays, pre-surgery steroid injection into my hip joint, physical therapy co-pays, transportation costs to appointments, medication, post-surgery equipment costs (i.e., wheelchair, crutches, leg circulation air pressure sleeves, and a stationary bicycle for recovery therapy at home), and Mayo Clinic infusion charges for the Remicade.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. It's been a huge mental hurdle for me to become okay with the thought of asking for help, and putting yourself out there can be terrifying.
Learn more about ankylosing spondylitis: YouTube