Please Support Terry's Critical Physical Therapy

The photo is of my son with his son in a happier, healthier time.

I never imagined ever having to do anything like this, and yet here I am. My son, Terry, was recently diagnosed with an auto-immune disease (MNM) Acute Mononeuritis Multiplex. To give a little background, in the months of June and July, he began having pain in his right arm and shoulder. It progressed to swelling and eventually to loss of feeling. He saw his primary care doctor and a neurologist, had multiple x-rays, and tests. The neuro scheduled more tests, EMGs, MRIs, CTs, and bloodwork. Before all the tests were complete, his left foot started falling asleep. On August 4th, he was taken to the Emergency Room with complete loss of feeling in his left foot and most of his lower leg. He was unable to walk. He was admitted to the hospital and spent the next 13 days there enduring countless painful and invasive tests, daily bloodwork, 4 spinal taps, MRIs, and CT scans. The treatment was five days of immunoglobulin infusions, which caused severe nausea, vomiting, and a rash over his entire body, but he did regain the ability to walk with a walker.

He now has “drop foot” and complete numbness in his left foot, and it is not expected to return. Currently, with the use of a foot/leg brace and using a cane or walker, he is able to walk short distances (around the house, to the car, into a medical clinic, etc.). He has no feeling in his right thumb and first two fingers of his right hand. He has no fine motor skill in his right hand, i.e., inability to hold a pen or pencil, lift anything, or open anything. He has no grip strength in his right hand and very little in that arm. They do not believe his hand will return. He also suffers from muscle wasting in his calves, forearms, and thighs. He has all-over body weakness, lack of coordination, muscle cramps, and spasms. The treatment for this condition is periodic immunoglobulin infusions and physical therapy. The longer he goes without therapy, the more muscle wasting and permanent damage there will be.

Terry has struggled since his early 20s with mental health issues, but he has worked when he was able to do so. We have supplemented his income for 20+ years. I say this only in explanation that we believe in taking care of our own and have done our best to do this, but with this illness, it is apparent that what we have set aside for retirement is insufficient to meet his medical needs. After 2 weeks in the hospital, he was transferred to a Physical Therapy Institute. The doctors fought for 30 days of inpatient therapy, but after a very hard-fought battle, 1 additional week of inpatient PT was granted. We were then informed Missouri Medicaid WILL NOT pay for physical therapy of any kind.

To keep from losing the minuscule movement that remains in his left foot and his ability to walk, also to retain the remaining use of his right hand and to keep the rest of his muscles from wasting away completely, Physical Therapy is Critical, but unaffordable. I don’t even know how to ask this question, but if God touches your heart to do so, and you are able to donate so he could receive physical therapy, he/we would be extremely grateful. If not, please know we pray for God’s blessings for you and yours.