Medical Bill Assistance for Josie

Hello, my name is Shana Joslin and my daughter Josie is a 23 weeker.

For some people, that doesn’t make any sense.

What IS a 23 weeker?

A 23 weeker is a micropreemie born at 23 weeks gestational age. In fact, Josie was born at 23 weeks and 3 days. At that gestational age, she wasn’t considered medically viable.

When Josie was born, there was a lot that had to be done to save her. The moment she was born, she was whisked away to a corner of the delivery room and for around 7 solid minutes there was nothing but shuffling and whispers from the medical team.

We didn’t hear our baby cry.

I didn’t get to hold her.

They inserted a breathing tube and covered her to warm her little body and from that moment until now, it’s been a journey.

Josie was on oxygen from birth until the next Spring and has seen many Specialists, physicians, and therapists.

I have thought for the last 17 months about making a GoFundMe to assist with the medical bill burden but did not want to take away from those that might need it more.

The time has come where I must admit that we could use help… any help.

Josie currently sees an Occupational Therapist, Physical Therapist, Developmental Therapist, Eye Specialist with Vanderbilt, a Neurologist, a Pulmonologist, a GI Specialist, a Dietician, and of course her Pediaitrician.

From when she was born to now, we have medical bills equaling to around $12,046.11.

We are scheduled for an MRI next month and an EEG in December for “seizure like activity” and we see the GI Dr and Dietician next month to possibly have a peg tube (Gtube) put in for her Failure to Thrive diagnosis and next Spring she will be having surgery on the muscles attached to her eyes.

Currently, I’m paying over $200 in medical payments each month.

We have medical insurance and at one point Josie had Disability but because of a technicality, she lost her disability.

Anthony’s job is going through open enrollment currently and to stay with a similar plan as we currently have, our course the premium is rising but the Specialist co-pay is going from $60/visit to $85. I will be reviewing my options with my employer but the insurance is the same insurance as each place so I am unsure what changes could be possible with my job.

We do not qualify for any other assistance since we lost her Disability last October.

Everyone has been so supportive and people have been praying since the moment I announced I needed prayer the morning before she was born. I truly believe in the power of prayer but now, we need help with what insurance says they won’t pay just so we can keep making the visit to visit co-pays, etc.

If you read this far, I greatly appreciate it.

I know we likely won’t hit our goal but I hope we get something because anything will help.

Thank you,

Shana