Replace Launi's Knees and Foot!

Launi Anderson is a beloved mom, grammy, sister, teacher, and friend--and she has lost 90% of her ability to walk, kneel, even bend her legs. 

Nearly 15 years ago, Launi was helping a friend carry a bookshelf when the shelf slipped from its' support and fell directly on her left foot. She was taken to the emergency room, where they told her the big toe joint of her foot was "crushed," but there was nothing for them to do about it. She was sent home with a bandage and some pain meds. 

Over the years, Launi has compensated for the pain in her foot by walking differently, and this has impacted her knees. For years she has remained mobile though in constant pain, even kneeling to help her HypnoBirthing students learn comfort measures--until now. 


In the last 6 months, the pain has become great enough that her legs collapse regularly and she is unable to walk for days at a time. She can't sit on the ground, kneel, go up or down stairs, or even stand for more than a few minutes. She uses a bar stool to reach her sink and stove, in order to cook and do dishes.

After several evaluations, Launi was referred to two orthopedic surgeons, who unilaterally recommended a double knee replacement and full left foot reconstruction--three individual surgeries. Recovery will take the better part of a year. 



As a self-employed teacher, Launi's living depends on her ability to teach her classes --which means she has to be able to get to those classes. She has to be able to move, drive, and walk. She loves her "couples", and has made many sacrifices in order to keep her classes affordable for the local student population. She has taught thousands of couples over the last 18 years.

Launi is loved by all who are lucky enough to know her. She has 5 children, 4 sons and daughters-in-law, and 8 grandchildren, with 2 more on the way. She dreams of being able to attend sports events, participate in milestones, and play with her "babies" on the floor.


To prepare herself for surgery--and her new knees and foot--Launi has been following strict dietary guidelines and biking 6 or more miles on a stationary bike every day. Now, all she needs is the deductible.

As she has kept her class prices low, and her insurance deductible is high--Launi needs your help. The surgeries will spread out over roughly 9 months time--ideally in the same calendar year. However, depending on recovery and doctor recommendations, she may need to pay her out-of-pocket maximum twice, at a cost of $7350 per year, for a total of $14,700. 

Additionally, with two knee surgeries and a full foot reconstruction, Launi will need several months of physical therapy. Her insurance will pay for 20 sessions, which will be exhausted with the recovery from the first surgery. Though we are petitioning for additional coverage from the insurance, she will likely need to pay for dozens of additional therapy sessions, costing anywhere from $80-$120 per session, approximately $4,000.



Finally, Launi is planning to continue teaching her classes during recovery, but will necessarily have to miss a few sessions during hospital stays. We would like for her to be able to recover without the added burden of worrying about finances. 

The doctors would like to start the surgeries as soon as mid-October.

If this sweet woman has touched your life, as she has ours, please consider donating even $10. We want her to know and feel the love and support she has from the thousands of people who love her dearly. She is "trying to be brave" about the surgeries, and could sure use your love and positive affirmations. We are so excited to have her active with us again. 

Thank you for your generosity and God Bless--

April, Lyndi, Jillian, Dane, & Rhen (and their spouses and kids, too <3)