In March 2020, our family's life changed dramatically. Elise, our youngest, got Covid at the age of 17. She is now classified as a Covid Long Hauler. In the summer of 2020, Elise lost the ability to walk and continues to be confined to a wheelchair. Over the last 2 1/2 years, she has been diagnosed with POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome), fibromyalgia, chronic pain, chronic fatigue, tinnitus, IBS and more. We have consulted medical facilities across the country, including multiple specialists at Vanderbilt, John Hopkins and the Mayo Clinic. I have not been able to work for most of the last two years to care for Elise, and Harrison is working all he can.

We appreciate all of the support we have received from friends and family and the many offers of help. Often, it has been difficult to tell people what we need or how they can walk with us on this journey. A new treatment option has provided a very concrete way to help.

Elise and I are going to New Orleans so that she can receive hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). HBOT has demonstrated positive results for Covid Long Haulers. While known for helping divers with the bends, HBOT is also covered by insurance for a wide variety of problems, including wound care and burns. Unfortunately, HBOT is not yet covered by insurance for post-Covid treatment. Elise has been accepted to start treatment on September 20, 2022, at one of the leading HBOT clinics in New Orleans. The recommended protocol is 40 treatments over 8 weeks. The costs for this treatment will include: $17,000 for the HBOT treatments + Food & Lodging + another $6000 for a home hyperbaric chamber to continue treatment back in Nashville.

These costs do not include Elise's ongoing therapies to help her regain her ability to walk, her strength and her health. Therapies have averaged at least $2300/month for the last two years, which insurance has not covered.

Over the past couple of years, we have been hit hard with the stress of mounting medical bills and have come to the conclusion that we can no longer be an island. If you would like to aid in Elise's recovery and contribute toward her medical expenses, Harrison and I would be honored and so very appreciative to have you walk with us on this journey.