PainLevel10
Donation protected
(Story Update at Bottom!)
It seems so simple when you think about it . . . there are almost 329,000,000 people in the United States . . . if just 30,000 of those people became aware of the crippling pain that comes with Occipital Neuralgia, then maybe we could help change my friend's life.
And it would only cost those 30,000 people $1 each.
My friend Amber suffers from Occipital Neuralgia, a condition that causes unending chronic migraines, vertigo, nausea, and severe light sensitivity. In summary: you spend your days in bed, in a dark room, depending on meds or sleep (if you can) for any kind of relief.
The surgeries involved in alleviating this condition are expensive, and many are experimental: having varied results, and providing relief for an uncertain period of time.
Multiple treatments, surgeries, and meds over the years have only offered Amber temporary solutions and credit cards full of medical debt. Her doctor has recommended a surgery which has a 90% success rate for permanent, significant pain improvement. 30% of people are cured for life. However, Amber's insurance won't cover it, and a $30,000 price tag just isn't feasible. That's where those 30,000 people with $1 each can help.
And my hopes don't end there.
It seems selfish to me to only help my friend, when there are so many more in the same position. I want this Go Fund Me to be a lightning rod for others with this condition, to restart after every $30,000 raised, and to deliver those funds to another person who falls under the umbrella of Pain Level 10.
I want to share what prompted me to begin this quest for my friend. My purpose here is to generate empathy for what it is like to live in chronic pain: what I believe many people in this position, whatever the illness, do not reveal to others.
This degree of pain can make your quality of life negligible.
Even to the point of demanding serious discussions with loved ones about ending the pain by the only means they can see - ending their lives. To me, this is not a reasonable solution, when there is treatment available.
For Amber, I would like to raise between $30,000 - $45,000 dollars: to help end their medical debt and pay for a life-changing surgery.
After this, Amber will join me in paying it forward by continuing this GoFundMe, pursuing grants and beginning a foundation to change the lives of those in similar situations.
Again, it seems so simple when you think about it.
30,000 people.
$1.
7.9.19 - UPDATE from Elizabeth:
WOW! Thank you all so much! Amber had the initial consultation with the surgeon. He conducted the testing to determine how likely the surgery would be to help Amber. This is done by injecting numbing medication into different areas of her head, to block the nerve impulses. This provides the doctor with a “map” of where the nerves which cause her pain are located. The doctor believes she falls into the group for whom this surgery is life changing. He is really excited about the prospects and we are all really excited as well!
Unfortunately, Amber did find out that because of the positioning of the nerves, she will need 2 surgeries to relieve the specific nerves involved. This is so one nerve isn’t injured while the doctor works on the other one. Because of this news, we have raised the goal in order to cover both surgeries. Again, that you for sharing and donating. We hope for Amber to be able to schedule the surgery for later this year because of the generosity of people like you!
It seems so simple when you think about it . . . there are almost 329,000,000 people in the United States . . . if just 30,000 of those people became aware of the crippling pain that comes with Occipital Neuralgia, then maybe we could help change my friend's life.
And it would only cost those 30,000 people $1 each.
My friend Amber suffers from Occipital Neuralgia, a condition that causes unending chronic migraines, vertigo, nausea, and severe light sensitivity. In summary: you spend your days in bed, in a dark room, depending on meds or sleep (if you can) for any kind of relief.
The surgeries involved in alleviating this condition are expensive, and many are experimental: having varied results, and providing relief for an uncertain period of time.
Multiple treatments, surgeries, and meds over the years have only offered Amber temporary solutions and credit cards full of medical debt. Her doctor has recommended a surgery which has a 90% success rate for permanent, significant pain improvement. 30% of people are cured for life. However, Amber's insurance won't cover it, and a $30,000 price tag just isn't feasible. That's where those 30,000 people with $1 each can help.
And my hopes don't end there.
It seems selfish to me to only help my friend, when there are so many more in the same position. I want this Go Fund Me to be a lightning rod for others with this condition, to restart after every $30,000 raised, and to deliver those funds to another person who falls under the umbrella of Pain Level 10.
I want to share what prompted me to begin this quest for my friend. My purpose here is to generate empathy for what it is like to live in chronic pain: what I believe many people in this position, whatever the illness, do not reveal to others.
This degree of pain can make your quality of life negligible.
Even to the point of demanding serious discussions with loved ones about ending the pain by the only means they can see - ending their lives. To me, this is not a reasonable solution, when there is treatment available.
For Amber, I would like to raise between $30,000 - $45,000 dollars: to help end their medical debt and pay for a life-changing surgery.
After this, Amber will join me in paying it forward by continuing this GoFundMe, pursuing grants and beginning a foundation to change the lives of those in similar situations.
Again, it seems so simple when you think about it.
30,000 people.
$1.
7.9.19 - UPDATE from Elizabeth:
WOW! Thank you all so much! Amber had the initial consultation with the surgeon. He conducted the testing to determine how likely the surgery would be to help Amber. This is done by injecting numbing medication into different areas of her head, to block the nerve impulses. This provides the doctor with a “map” of where the nerves which cause her pain are located. The doctor believes she falls into the group for whom this surgery is life changing. He is really excited about the prospects and we are all really excited as well!
Unfortunately, Amber did find out that because of the positioning of the nerves, she will need 2 surgeries to relieve the specific nerves involved. This is so one nerve isn’t injured while the doctor works on the other one. Because of this news, we have raised the goal in order to cover both surgeries. Again, that you for sharing and donating. We hope for Amber to be able to schedule the surgery for later this year because of the generosity of people like you!
Organizer and beneficiary
Joshua Ryan Wood
Organizer
Whittier, CA
Elizabeth Chunn
Beneficiary
