Medical Assistance for Zoe
Donation protected
For those of you who know me, you know I pride myself on being strong and independent. I like to be able to provide for my daughter and myself. I made the best decision of my life when I decided to have a child. When she was born, I knew that I would have financial struggles, but I was ready to do whatever was necessary to raise my healthy baby girl. I have worked hard as a single parent to provide what I can to make sure Zoe has what she needs to survive. I have and continue to take on as many things as I can in order to do that. However, my healthy baby girl is facing challenges I never even thought about when she was born.
In May of 2015, at age 16, she lost the sight in one eye when the optic nerve stopped working. She was tested for a variety of things and the ultimate result was a diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) at the age 17. There was much to learn about MS and try to understand why it would affect someone so young. There were 2 lesions on her brain with the first MRI and by the third MRI she had 7. She began a routine of Copaxone injections ($87,000/year without insurance!) and continued that for a year and a half. When she began seeing a new neurologist, he put her on Aubagio ($60,000/year without insurance!) and she has been having a difficult reaction to it. They have run numerous tests, many not covered by insurance, in order to understand what is truly going on in her body. She is schedule for a Gallium Scan to further investigate her bones, joints and certain organs. She is in constant pain but continues to work two jobs to help the financial situation with medical bills. She continues to hoop and bring videos to her friends and family, but she tires easily and I don't want her to have to give up her passion.
This is the difficult part for us; asking for help. The medical bills are in the thousands, even AFTER insurance has paid. One test recently was $981 and insurance won’t cover it. We are at a loss as to how people are supposed to be able to afford to live with a debilitating disease. I am desperately trying to work with each of these facilities, and there are many, to set up payment plans before they turn it all over to collections. As many of you know, some places will work with you and some will not. We are starting to drown and we are falling below the surface rapidly. With your help, we can pay off the numerous hospitals, neurologists, radiologists, medical specialists and testing labs. If you can, we would appreciate any help you can send. If you can’t, we would happily take your thoughts, prayers, love and light. With all the love we can send, thank you!
In May of 2015, at age 16, she lost the sight in one eye when the optic nerve stopped working. She was tested for a variety of things and the ultimate result was a diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) at the age 17. There was much to learn about MS and try to understand why it would affect someone so young. There were 2 lesions on her brain with the first MRI and by the third MRI she had 7. She began a routine of Copaxone injections ($87,000/year without insurance!) and continued that for a year and a half. When she began seeing a new neurologist, he put her on Aubagio ($60,000/year without insurance!) and she has been having a difficult reaction to it. They have run numerous tests, many not covered by insurance, in order to understand what is truly going on in her body. She is schedule for a Gallium Scan to further investigate her bones, joints and certain organs. She is in constant pain but continues to work two jobs to help the financial situation with medical bills. She continues to hoop and bring videos to her friends and family, but she tires easily and I don't want her to have to give up her passion.
This is the difficult part for us; asking for help. The medical bills are in the thousands, even AFTER insurance has paid. One test recently was $981 and insurance won’t cover it. We are at a loss as to how people are supposed to be able to afford to live with a debilitating disease. I am desperately trying to work with each of these facilities, and there are many, to set up payment plans before they turn it all over to collections. As many of you know, some places will work with you and some will not. We are starting to drown and we are falling below the surface rapidly. With your help, we can pay off the numerous hospitals, neurologists, radiologists, medical specialists and testing labs. If you can, we would appreciate any help you can send. If you can’t, we would happily take your thoughts, prayers, love and light. With all the love we can send, thank you!
Organiser
Lisa Gray
Organiser
Evansville, WY
