In early August, my dear friend Keats Snideman was diagnosed with a rare tumor called an Orbital Hemangioma located directly behind his right eye. It took weeks for Keats and Tammy to find medical help, and luckily they were referred to the only surgeon who was willing and qualified to remove it. Unfortunately, Dr. Mansueto is considered "out of network" by his insurance company and it has been a frustrating couple of months dealing with the insurance nightmare that has ensued. The tumor must be removed as it is pushing his eye forward and significantly affecting Keats' optic nerve and vision. The surgery has been scheduled for October 31st, Halloween of all days!!! The surgery and the subsequent recovery period, combined with the large out-of-pocket costs for the insurance deductible present enormous challenges financially for Keats and his family. Keats will hopefully only be in the hospital for a night or two, but he will also be out of work for weeks afterward and may face additional challenges as he recovers, such as double vision, which is a normal side-effect after this type of surgery. He will also be unable to drive for an unknown length of time to his PT or teaching jobs.

Everyone who knows Keats has experienced his unflappable humor and general enthusiasm for health, fitness, teaching, and ice cream! Keats' wife Tammy, her mother Linda, and his boys Aidan, Soren, and Easton will be on hand to support Keats through the surgery and recovery. His sister Sarah has faced significant health issues over the years, and his brother Franz is in California, busy with a new baby, but I know they will support Keats as he faces this challenge.

Keats has been my friend since the summer between 6th and 7th grade when I looked across the tennis courts and had my own moment of double vision while watching Keats and his twin brother Franz playing. There has been a constant flow of humor back and forth since then, and the shared joy of our dual experiences as parents of "mid-life" babies, as Keats refers to parenting little guys in our forties. I hope you will join me if you can and donate to his recovery fund. Keats is a wonderful father, husband, teacher, physical therapist, massage therapist, trainer, and friend. He is passionately devoted to the work of training, teaching, and healing the bodies of others and I hope he can take some much-needed time off to recover as his own body heals from major surgery.

Please donate if you can and pass this link on to other friends and community members who know Keats.

Your generosity is greatly appreciated,

Willow Grace