Join in on Jordan's Journey

Above: May 31, 2024 Jordan in South Health Campus continuing to recover from surgery to repair a twisted bowel. She is doing well and able to take in some solid food.

See update below.

Meet Jordan

Jordan is a remarkable young woman with so much to offer the world. Her goals and dreams are the simple things that most of us take for granted: mobility, good eyesight, normal speech, a level of health that would allow her independence. She would love to be able to get her driver's license, have a career in teaching and one day a family of her own.

https://youtu.be/CLJpj4LO2lg

Jordan's Health Crisis

As you can see from the above video of a recent physiotherapy session, Jordan's motor function is far from normal. Ten years ago Jordan was a vibrant energetic 15-year-old in her first year of high school. She was active in dance, taekwondo and badminton. Seemingly out of nowhere she developed neurological symptoms that rapidly became severe. Her family doctor referred her to neurologists at the Stollery Children’s Hospital where she was admitted and released 3 times in that first year. She underwent a myriad of tests including multiple spinal taps. Despite their best efforts the doctors were stumped. Conventional medicine told the specialists that her health decline was autoimmune in nature but they were unsuccessful in determining a cause and unable to treat her.

With no answers Jordan's loving parents explored other possibilities. In 2016 it was determined that she had contracted Lyme disease which, 10 years ago when Jordan's symptoms began, was not highly recognized as a reality in Alberta. Testing was uncommon and methods limited. Unfortunately the disease, gone unrecognized and untreated, rapidly progressed and the neurological symptoms became debilitating. The medical team currently working with Jordan believe that, in her case, the symptoms may have been activated/complicated by the Gardasil vaccine.

Jordan's Journey 2014-2023

Jordan underwent stem cell treatments (unavailable in Canada) plus IV supplements in Mexico in 2016. She regained some strength and showed improvement for a time but the underlying issues were unresolved. The family sought out multiple other professionals and treatments over the years but Jordan's neurological symptoms continued to progress.

Jordan's Character and Kindness

Despite all of her absences during appointments and hospitalizations and treatments, with the help of her caring teachers and fellow students, Jordan continued to attend Stettler High School whenever she could and graduated with her Class of 2016. This is Jordan on graduation day. (She was able to stand briefly with support and could hold on with her right hand. Her left hand is strategically placed behind her as she was unable to straighten her wrist and fingers.)

Through it all Jordan has not only persevered, she has given back. Following a stay in the Stollery she reached out collecting enough toys, games and gifts to fill a handi-bus for the the hospitalized kids. When her health still allowed Jordan helped out at the local youth center. The following year Jordan, complete with her walker, could be found volunteering with the kindergarten class at the local elementary school. She loved it and the kids and the staff loved her. Jordan also volunteered at the Long Term Care facility with the recreation program.

Jordan's Journey to Renewed Hope and Health

A year ago the family, through acquaintances who, like Jordan, were unable to find answers through conventional medicine, learned of Neurvana Health in Calgary. https://neurvanahealth.com

There, she met with Functional Medicine Practitioner Corey Deacon who specializes in Lyme disease and Lyme co-infections and Naturopathic Dr. Ryan Best whose expertise includes autoimmune and neurological diseases. Jordan began weekly laser and IV treatments in August of 2023. Neurological brain mapping results show considerable progress and Jordan is experiencing improvements in motor function. Her health team are optimistic that they can heal the neurological damage to the degree that she will regain 80% of normal function. It will be a gradual process expected to take up to 4 years. The goal amount is based on the estimate for these treatments alone.

Each trip to Calgary for treatments and therapy is 2 1/2 hours from Jordan’s home near Stettler.

As well, Jordan does weekly Physiotherapy sessions with the Synaptic Spinal Cord Injury and Neuro Rehabilitation Centre in Calgary plus Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy in Airdrie biweekly with Jennifer Blunston, Ph. D, to aid speech and swallowing. She also undergoes periodic botox treatments to reduce muscle spasms at the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital in Edmonton.

Fundraising to Date

Much of the treatment Jordan has received over this 10 year period has not been covered by our health care system. Jordan's immediate and extended family, friends and community have rallied around her, holding dinners, dances, auctions, etc to raise money to help cover the costs. Her grandmother recently created a cookbook of treasured family recipes to raise funds.

Join Jordan's Journey Moving Forward: How you can help

The promising treatments that Jordan is receiving at Neurvana Health lie outside the boundaries of conventional medicine and therefore are not covered by our healthcare system. The funds are depleting and additional financial help is needed.

If you are able to contribute (no amount is too small) and/or share this page, Jordan and her family will forever be grateful. As an extended family member blessed with having Jordan in my life, I share in their gratitude.

Welcome to Jordan's Journey! Thank you for your part in helping this amazing young woman move closer to her simple dreams and goals. Jordan looks forward to being able to repay your generosity with all that renewed health will enable her to offer.