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Medical Expenses for Minas Katsantouris

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In late 2013, during a routine dance practice, I suffered a lower back injury which resulted in major trauma to my sciatic nerve. Over time, this unfortunately developed into what is known as a “foot drop”. As a result, I lost complete control of my foot, thus severely limiting my ability to teach or dance. Both the pain and discomfort, coupled with the depressing nature of the situation, led me to rely on medication in order for me to endure mainly the physical pain I experienced during teaching and competing in the Pro-Am division. Out of necessity, I was forced down the darkest path of not only my dance career, but of my entire life.

A mere year later, I was diagnosed with a neurological disorder called Primary Lateral Sclerosis (PLS for short). This illness, or disorder if you may, targets the neuromuscular system and causes me severe spasticity, stiffness, loss of flexibility, and even inhibits my ability to speak clearly and/or quickly… By the summer of 2015, I became a disabled man. Teaching my students the art of communication with others through movement of their own body, and thus expressing their own artistry, was what I was meant to do in life. I loved teaching just as much as I loved breathing. It was nothing more than a natural occurrence of my biology. Embarrassed by my disability, I withdrew from society, leaving behind everything and everyone I had in my life up to that point. Sadly, I walked away from everyone in the dance world and I sunk deeper into depression, to the point where I was hopeless for a positive change in my life.

Due to my PLS, the medical professionals have informed me that I now require a major medical (mouth and dental) operation in order to prevent dire medical consequences in the near future and to maintain some semblance of health. Unfortunately, due to my illness and subsequent inability to obtain or retain a job, my income is severely limited. As such, I have come to the point where I am in dire need of a substantial amount of funds to cover the following operations: Firstly, due to the severe spasticity (traction-grind) of my condition causing muscular atrophy of the bottom gum line and mouth muscles, I require full mandibular (lower teeth) dental extraction and mandibular debridement with iliac crest (hip) bony free flap reconstruction to create a strong new foundation. Subsequently, I will need several dental implants in order to create a healthy mandibular body, prevent further complications of my ability to eat/chew, and hopefully lessen the frequency of choking occurrences which are often dangerous due to extreme neuromuscular tension in the pharynx (throat). These operations are critical for my survival and must be performed expeditiously according to my surgeon. I pray and hope that all of you will understand me and excuse my need to ask for your help. Thank you all in advance.

Gratefully,
Minas Alexandro Katsantouris
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Donations 

  • Zachary Gleason
    • $20
    • 2 yrs
  • Summer barnett
    • $50
    • 2 yrs
  • Renee Martin
    • $50
    • 2 yrs
  • Dominique Lambert
    • $50
    • 2 yrs
  • tom zaimes
    • $30
    • 2 yrs
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Organizer and beneficiary

Heriberto Perez
Organizer
Cleveland, OH
Felix Caban
Beneficiary

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