Hi, my name is Khristan, and I'm fundraising for my husband, Stone, our two children, Emerson (7) and Quinn (4), and myself.

 

On Saturday, May 8, 2021, Stone received his second dose of the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine. That evening, he started to feel very lightheaded and out of sorts. His symptoms worsened on Sunday--he felt extremely tired, dizzy, had a headache, experienced severe "brain fog" and was unable to get out of bed. He returned to his position with the State of California that Monday and Tuesday, but he felt extremely unwell and was barely able to sit up at his computer or speak with clients on the phone. He continued to experience the same symptoms for weeks--fatigue, headache, dizziness/nausea, brain fog, neck pain, sensitivity to light and sound--he felt like his brain was too big for his skull. He had to use all of his saved paid-time-off from work and stay home in bed.

 

After seeing his PCP several times, there were still no answers to his illness, no diagnosis or recommended treatment. His doctor suggested it was best for him to go on temporary disability until he was able to perform his work duties again. His PCP referred him to the local neurology clinic in July of 2021, but they kept putting off scheduling an appointment for months. Stone was finally referred to UCSF Neurology in San Francisco and was able to see an excellent neurologist for a thorough neurological evaluation on December 29, 2021. Based on his symptoms and evaluation, the neurologist believed him to possibly have a Cerebrospinal Fluid leak caused by inflammation of his spine and nervous system. The doctor acknowledged that there could be a connection between the inflammation and the vaccine, but that there is no way to prove it at this point. On February 9, he was scheduled for a few tests, including a complete spinal MRI and a lumbar puncture. We are awaiting the results and evaluation by the doctor.

 

Stone is currently on disability, and the state is holding his position until the end of June. He receives a fraction of his gross monthly pay, and the state has discontinued contributing to medical insurance, so we are now required to pay the full insurance premium to keep our family medical benefits, which has created an additional $1300+/month expense. As a result of his being on disability, we have already spent all of our life savings on essential living expenses and out-of-pocket medical bills (we had been saving for a down payment on our first home). We have no idea if Stone will get better in a few weeks, or in a few months, or if he will ever be able to return to his full-time position. While I have a successful handmade jewelry business, my income alone isn't enough to cover our cost of living.

 

We understand that there are risks in either taking or not taking the vaccine, but we do believe in the overall safety and effectiveness of the vaccine in keeping people and their communities safe from severe illness and death. Unfortunately, there is no safety net for people whose lives have been shattered by the rare, but all too real, adverse effects of the Covid-19 vaccination. There should be a better system in place than Gofundme to help care for people with Covid-19 vaccine injuries.

We are asking for immediate financial assistance to keep us above water while Stone is ill and seeking medical care. It breaks my heart that Stone is worrying about finances and feeling embarrassed about his condition when he was doing the right thing in getting vaccinated. He really did take one for the team.

 

It is so incredibly hard to ask for help like this, and I know these are unprecedented hard times for all of us, but if there is any amount, no matter how small, you are able chip in, we are truly and continually grateful. Thank you.