Hi, my name is Ebony. I have a 12 year old son who is autistic with limited speech, but that’s not what I want to talk about. When he was 11, he contracted strep throat for the 1st time ever. His pediatrician thought it was just a cold and wanted it to run its course. One night, I put my baby to bed, and when he woke up the next day, he was a completely different person. Behaviors we have never seen before from him. Aggression, self harm, dilated pupils, compulsions, hallucinations, mania. It was like a scene from a horror movie. He was diagnosed with P.A.N.D.A.S. (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Strep). In short, this illness causes schizophrenia type symptoms due to his body producing antibodies that are attacking his brain. For 11 months, he has been in and out of the hospital, inpatient psychiatric stays, trialing over 15 different antipsychotic/mood stabilizers, all ineffective. He has seen every type of Specialist available through Children’s Hospital (Psychology, Neurology, Hematology, Rheumatology, Gastrointestinal, Allergy, Immunology, & Infectious Disease). He has been subjected to multiple testing, labs, MRI, EKG, EEG, genetics, EGD. His symptoms are so severe that he has not been able to go to school, leave our home, see family, eat, sleep. By far the hardest thing I’ve had to witness as a parent. He was finally prescribed IVIG infusions (intravenous immunoglobulin). These infusions will essentially reset his immune system, so that he can function and return to his baseline behaviors. It’s the treatment that is ordered because he is considered a very severe case, but insurance (he has dual insurance through my employer, and state insurance for his autism diagnosis) denied approval. I have appealed, submitted extensive documentation, had a peer/peer with doctor and insurance company. I have exhausted every Avenue to try and get my son treatment. I have a breakdown of costs for IVIG, the actual medication, the nurse hours to come to my home to administer treatment, and supplies. Paying out of pocket for treatment has to be paid in full up front. That kind of money, I do not have. I’m just hoping someone sees this and knows someone who has had to deal with PANDAS, how hard it is on the entire family, and is willing to help. Thank you!