Le Ann's Seizure & C-PTSD Treatment Fund.

This GoFundMe is to raise funds in behalf of Le Ann Bennett to finance a medical procedure for her seizures and C-PTSD that will be performed in Florida, USA.

Let us tell you some of her story...

In 2020, Le Ann began fainting occasionally. The cause was unknown. In January of 2021, Le Ann developed a terrible migraine that would not respond to treatment. After a couple weeks, she began to have seizures. Many, many seizures. They were very intense and dangerous. She was hospitalized multiple times, but a proper diagnosis alluded her and her family for many months.

Finally, on September 13 of 2021, she was diagnosed with Psychogenic non-epileptic spells (PNES). Unlike epilepsy, no medications exist that directly treat PNES seizures. The primary, root cause of her symptoms (the underlying health condition that lead to her developing PNES) turned out to be C-PTSD, or Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, which she had been suffering from for many years but was getting worse. So the only way to treat the seizures was to treat her C-PTSD. Generally, the only treatments available for these conditions involve psychotherapies (often known as "talk therapies") such as CBT and EMDR. These can take a long time to help alleviate PNES symptoms, and cannot guarantee complete recovery. So Le Ann began a long and painful journey to attempt recovery.

Her seizures are very severe. They often include episodes of paralysis, deafness, muteness, and other motor or sensory problems, sometimes lasting many hours. Sometimes they are accompanied by PTSD episodes, such as long flashbacks. She would have to wear a helmet to avoid concussions even around her home. Often the seizures have resulted in injuries to her arms, legs, etc, resulting in much time spent in wheelchairs or using crutches. Even though this disabling condition has prevented her from working and earning income, as of yet she has not been granted disability payments. Her husband Kris has had to work less, as she often needed constant caregiving, and they have had to be creative in finding other assistance when Kris has been able to work.

Sadly, along her journey of recovery, Le Ann and Kris experienced yet more traumatic events, resulting in worsening Le Ann symptoms as well as Kris' mental and emotional health, including a new diagnosis of PTSD for Kris. But they did not give up. Le Ann continued therapy whenever her health allowed, and gradually she improved. Kris also began therapy.

In late 2023, her seizures seemed to have ended. She went almost 6 months without one. During this time, Kris faced a physical health crisis that required surgery and prevented him from working for a time. As both Le Ann and Kris' health improved, they were very hopeful that their lives could now return to "normal." But that was not the case.

In April of 2024, when his physical health permitted Kris to return to work, his employer informed him that his position was no longer needed. Around this time, his emotional health worsened as well. Then in May of 2024, Le Ann had to be hospitalized multiple times due to dangerous complications from her C-PTSD. Around this time, her fainting spells began again. Sadly, on May 14, her seizures returned.

Prior to the return of her seizures, Le Ann and her family learned of another treatment that existed for severe PTSD. It is called a Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB). Unfortunately, it is not offered in Nebraska for PTSD. Other states offer SGB for PTSD, but they require travel and are not covered by Le Ann's insurance. With no means to pay for the treatment, the option was initially dismissed. However, after her condition got much worse again and became dangerous once more, they have now decided that Le Ann will undergo this procedure.

The procedure may very well allow Le Ann to make more progress in therapy than ever before, give her body and mind a break from such intense attacks, and may even allow her a real shot at her goals, such as regular pioneering, driving, and working again. The thought of living without night terrors, seizures, and fainting on a daily basis is something that is overwhelming to her in the best way.

This is where this fundraiser comes in. Le Ann and Kris currently have no income. Her intake assessment will cost $292. The procedure itself will cost at least $1,650, totaling a minimum of $1,942. This does not include travel costs or the financial loss of Kris putting off returning to work to care for Le Ann until her procedure is complete.

Le Ann and Kris are grateful for any help offered, but do not want anyone to feel pressured to donate. They are confident that their God Jehovah will provide for whatever is needed, one way or another. Your prayers are always very much appreciated.