Dave Spence Needs Your Help!!!

David Spence, 56, was diagnosed with Multiple System Atrophy (MSA), an autonomic neurological disease, in 2017. The two main symptoms are orthostatic hypotension (severe drop in blood pressure when sitting, and especially when standing) causing him to regularly fall, and also Parkinsonisms (tremors, slow gait, stiffness and more). He once broke his femur falling and has hit his head on the floor numerous times. His latest fall was almost 2 months ago, hurting his back and head. 

Even with continuous physical therapy, his prospects for walking again are minimal and he now must use a motorized wheelchair as you can see in the picture to get around. Dave was also recently hospitalized with chronic pneumonia, another unfortunate side effect of MSA.

Another aspect of MSA affecting is loss of memory and focus, including Aphasia (loss of ability to understand or express speech), which has begun to put his language and memory skills into decline. To learn more about MSA, please visit: Multiple System Atrophy or MSA Symptoms and Causes Mayo Clinic 

MSA is extremely rare and affects only 4 out of 1,000 people. It is not genetic. It has suddenly progressed very fast for him, and you can see his medical bills both past and present continue to accumulate.

Dave now lives with his Mother, who is 76 and has her own medical issues.  As you can tell, this situation is becoming overwhelming.

Dave’s friends have teamed up to sponsor this fundraiser. We met Dave through a chronic pain sufferers’ support group, and have come to know this amazing man, facing medical jeopardy with kindness and grace. As his friends, we want to share a little about Dave. A true Southerner, Dave attended the University of Tennessee, where he received his BA and JD degrees. He is a loyal UofT Vols supporter! He had a fabulous career as an international lawyer and lobbyist, but MSA forced him into an early retirement, on disability. Most importantly, Dave is an amazing father to 2 kids, and always has a kind word or jokes for his friends.  He deeply loves his family.

Would you please consider donating to this fundraiser? Dave is currently not surviving well on $882.80 in monthly disability payments to live on.  Your help and support are vitally needed.

Any amount helps, as does spreading the word about this wonderful man/father/friend who desperately needs our help and support.

Thank you! Dave Spence and Team Dave! Cathy Harris, Melissa Howery, Alex Hart, Melisa Gilett, Dede Kingston, Janice Tucker, Jennifer LaStella, Pat Porter, Randi Lyn, Mimi Zen, and Frank Binning