Main fundraiser photo

Kim's Cleveland Clinic Trip

My wife, Kim, is a 38 year old mother of 3 who has been ill for three years. 
            We are hoping to raise money for her to go to the Chronic Pain and Restoration Program at the Cleveland Clinic, a 3+ week intensive therapy program including speech, occupational and physical therapy.  The costs include a three to four week stay in a hotel (she must stay off campus), travel costs, a $2000 deductible, and out of pocket expenses regarding medical bills not covered by insurance.  The costs total up to $7000.
This video was made by Kim to remind herself of what she's like when she has been impulsive, not following fatigue cues, and has decided to "push through" to get things done...the nurse/mom inside her.
            Kim currently suffers from intense and unpredictable nerve pain to the left side of her face, following the shingles virus in conjunction with Ramsey Hunt Syndrome.  For unknown reasons she  has unpredictable spasms to the left side of her face as well as other parts of her body that seem to worsen as she fatigues.  Kim now knows her triggers and is able to a very good job keeping this hidden from the public (she only risks it if her kids have a game or for church). One of the most puzzling issues she currently deals with involves symptoms which mimic a Traumatic Brain Injury.  Further complicating issues, she has developed fibromyalgia. 
            Kim has lost a big part of her identity as a nurse, a runner, and countless other roles in the life of a wife, mother and daughter.  While she may look fine, she has learned to make her pain level of 8 look like a level 2, as she does not want others to know how much she is suffering. 
            The effects of her brain injury are often noticeable to only her immediate family.  The public does not know what a struggle it is to follow a recipe, retain new information, make it to an appointment on time or how much she truly struggled when she attempted to go back to work.  People do not know that she has had neurological testing and is currently undergoing cognitive retraining at the Abby D Center in Petoskey.
            Kim wants to move on from having to rest after every task; from not being able to keep up with her mother when walking; from going to church and having to leave early due to the music and the noise triggering pain and fatigue.  Kim wants to move on from all of these struggles and is to the point now where she is allowing me to post this request on “Gofundme.com”.  (She made me take down the first request we made in October and the $800 raised at that time has gone toward paying off the Clinic bills which currently exceed $9000.)
             In all things and despite these circumstances, Kim wants to thank God for what she can do and for the opportunity to show His strength through her weakness.
            Anyone interested in learning more about the struggles of those with brain injuries, we recommend www.brainline.org.  The Abby D Center has been a wealth of support and compassion as well.

Donations 

  • Robin Chapman
    • $25 
    • 9 yrs

Organiser

David Tuggle
Organiser
Petoskey, MI

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