Help Tehani Access Life-Changing Treatments

Hello, Friends

My name is Tehani, and three years ago my life was derailed by medical challenges that have left me disabled. My former life as an international dance champion, anthropology lecturer/researcher, small business owner, trauma-informed social emotional arts facilitator, published writer/columnist and pro bono community death doula – the life that I have loved with all my heart – is no more and my ability to work gainfully and provide for myself is becoming more and more impossible as time passes. I have always held the belief that it was my role (everyone’s role) in life to make the world a little better through the work we choose and life skills we earn. I have dedicated my life to this love and calling that has allowed me to support the communities and causes of my heart, but now I must humbly ask for your support. I need to raise $2900 so that I can undergo medical treatments that my insurance will not cover.

I have severe spinal stenosis (and degenerative disc disease) smashing my nerves, that leaves me with virtually no feeling in my right hand/right forearm and I am in constant excruciating pain. I have only slept 2-3 hours at a time for several months due to increasing pain. This includes loss of cervical lordosis in the spine that also reduces my mobility and keeps me dizzy. I suffer from dysphagia and consequently have regular aspiration pneumonia I’ve experienced half a dozen times over the past two years. I have neurological vision disturbances/temporary blindness that last 45min-2hrs at a time. I have small nerve neuropathy in my legs and feet that never goes away (separate from the major nerve damage in my neck) and makes it painfully difficult to stand or walk for too long.

I’ve also been diagnosed with an enlarged thyroid, fibromyalgia, CFS (post-exertional malaise) and nonalcoholic liver disease that I believe has resulted from the massive amounts of medications I have been prescribed over the last three years for pain. Yet I remain grateful. At least it takes my mind off the ulcer, GERD, PCOS and other more “normal” things happening in my body. But seriously, it’s a body that has kept me alive despite so much disease, despite my inability to fight it all off. I am grateful for each and every day I have to keep moving forward.

I have seen over a fifteen doctors and pain management specialists (including ENT surgeons, neurologists, an acupuncturist, cardiologists, physical therapists and neurosurgeons) since becoming sick and nothing has made it better until recently when I was treated by a doctor who is both a medical MD and a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner with decades of experience. After two sessions of her blended approach, I felt some relief for the first time in three years that I thought might not be possible for me in this lifetime. I burst into tears feeling the pain ease for the first time since 2022. It gave me the hope that I thought I had lost forever. But I cannot afford to continue the regimen because my medical insurance will not cover the treatments.

I am praying that I can raise $2900 for the entire course of integrated treatments and the medications required. I have only had two sessions (fully out of pocket) and though I am not “cured,” I felt a release from pain that I have not had in three years. I sleep better now (I regularly sleep four hours – sometimes almost five) and though the pain has returned, the pain is lessened… Just after two sessions, I feel a small but noticeable difference and the hope that I may live a meaningful life again has returned (even if it’s a much smaller one, it would mean everything to me to live in less pain). I believe if I keep going through the remaining course of treatments, I may have a shot at life.

Thank you in advance for your support if you are able. No donation is too small and everything helps. It is my dearest wish that those who are also suffering under this horrible profit-driven medical system that drains the life and resources from individuals and families… that they all find solace, relief and solutions. I wish that for myself, too. Thank you for the community, solidarity and hope that has kept me going. It means everything. Thank you.

Big Love,

T.