There is one surgeon on the planet that can keep Alex out of a wheel chair. That surgeon just approved Alex for a life changing reconstructive surgery that could afford him a better future for him and his family in so many ways.

Alex was diagnosed at 14 years young with a degenerative, progressive nerve disease called Charcot Marie Tooth (CMT) disease. It was a devastating diagnosis as there is no cure or medications to treat the disease. He quickly was no longer able to run, play his favorite sports and he started wearing braces to walk. The doctor that diagnosed Alex said he would lose his finger mobility if he didn’t continue playing bass guitar. Music quickly became Alex’s passion.

CMT is a progressive neurological disease that effects the bodies extremities. It causes degenerative nerve damage and muscle deterioration in the legs, feet and hands. CMT causes a slow deformation of the feet and hands, which is very painful. Alex has had over 20 fractures and sprained ankles and is quickly losing his ability to walk.

Although Alex does not know the cause of his CMT there are many studies that connect Vietnam’s toxic Agent Orange to certain neurological muscle diseases. Alex’s military father served 2 terms in Vietnam and some doctors believe that there’s enough evidence to link Alex’s disease to agent orange. There is no family history of CMT.

Alex’s wife Michelle started researching surgeons two years ago when she noticed how weak Alex’s feet and ankles were getting. Alex started falling more and was finding it harder to keep up with his toddlers.

Michelle found Dr. Glenn Pfeffer on Instagram, the Director of Foot and Ankle surgery at Cedar Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles. Dr. Pfeffer operates on CMT patients from around the world. Michelle emailed and called Dr. Pfeffer for months and was shocked when Dr. Pfeffer called her and Alex. After two long years of perseverance, Alex was approved for surgery in Los Angeles.

Dr. Pfeffer will reconstruct both of Alex’s feet this October 2022 and the second foot January 2023. He will remove bone wedges, straighten his toes and do several muscle transfers. The goal is to keep Alex walking for a longer period of time.

Alex is required to live in Los Angeles for over a month while the surgeon monitors his healing. Alex will then go through 1 year of intense physical therapy to learn to walk on his new feet.

Alex and Michelle have health insurance but with high deductibles and high maximum out of pockets costs, they will encounter enormous medical bills. They will have to rent a home for Alex while he heals in Los Angeles, fly multiple times to LA and secure transportation for Alex when Michelle returns to work. They have applied for medical scholarships, but they still need our help to make this

happen.

Alex and Michelle have encountered Many financial obstacles because of CMT. The financial burden of CMT has been overwhelming on their family. We are eager to support them and to minimize the stress of another financial burden associated with Alex’s surgery and all that it entails.

This surgery will allow Alex to be more active with his young children, continue to drive, walk on the beach... all things that are quickly deteriorating.

Michelle and Alex will share their long upcoming journey with us.

Please contribute to the Eastman family! Alex is so very close to a new life and a new future, our support and contributions can make all the difference in their journey.