Jeff Meerschaert Support Fund

Our friends, the Meerschaert family, have had a difficult few years. Jeff was diagnosed with Covid in November 2020. He had an intense case, seventeen days of high fever. After he ‘recovered’ from Covid, many symptoms remained, including extreme body pain, weakness, exhaustion, brain fog, and many other daily symptoms.

Over time they thought things would improve, but they never did. When he went back to work as an account executive, he struggled on a daily basis and every day was a challenge to get through. He was able to join a Covid study, where he was diagnosed with Long Covid. There are still so many unknowns about Long Covid and such a broad spectrum of symptoms. He worked with many doctors including pulmonologists, physical therapists, respiratory therapists, etc, for about 4-5 months. Over time with little to no improvement in his health Jeff lost his job because he wasn't able to perform to their standards. After he was let go he wasn’t able to continue with the Long Covid study there.

Jeff took some time to try to manage his symptoms and get help from his doctor, but nothing they tried seemed to work. Due to his declining health, his doctor suggested that he see about applying for long-term disability. So in October 2021 Jeff applied for long-term disability. Since then, they have been working with lawyers trying to get approved. After a long road of twists and turns, Jeff was finally approved for disability in October 2023. Unfortunately they learned soon after that the assistance wouldn't begin until May 2024. The lawyers decided to accept the long-term disability, but Jeff was denied back pay for the two years he was not able to work due to his health. His lawyers decided the best action was to appeal and fight for the backpay. Now they are in a waiting period and are in immense financial strain.

Due to financial reasons and the wait on disability Jeff attempted to work for another mortgage company to try and get back into the business, but his symptoms continued to make it impossible to work, and his health was still declining. Jeff ended up getting Covid for the second time this past Christmas, which thankfully wasn’t nearly as bad as the first time. However, his Long Covid symptoms are worse than ever. There are some days the pain and exhaustion are so intense that he is unable to get out of bed. Jeff has not been able to work since.

Note from the family:

We are hoping to use the funds to help Jeff have a better quality of life and for family needs. He is in need of a walker and a wheelchair to help him be more mobile. We have been doing lots of research about possible options to help ease some of Jeff’s symptoms and discomfort, all of which are not covered by insurance. The plan is to try chiropractic care, acupuncture, oxygen therapy, IV therapy, massage therapy, physical therapy, hydrotherapy, supplements, and diet, all of which are out of pocket expenses. Jeff is a hard-working, compassionate, Godly man. His family is his world, and since having Covid, he has not been able to be the man that he desires to be. Jeff is not the same person he was prior to Covid, every day is a constant struggle, but thanks to his strong faith, he continues to stay hopeful and optimistic about his health and his future. Thank you for your prayers, kindness, and all contributions we may receive.