Hello everyone, thank you so much for taking time to read this. As you all know, this year has been rather crazy for me medically. We finally got some answers from my rheumatologist, and I was diagnosed with some sort of severe hypermobility disorder. We originally thought it was Ehlers Danlos, but now my team is suspecting Marfan Syndrome. This disorder has destroyed the cartilage in my joints, causing constant dislocations of my hips, shoulders, ankle, and now knee. I’m going to need three reconstructive surgeries to repair the torn tendons and stretched ligaments, as well as months of physical therapy.
Because of this I have had to quit my job and apply for disability, so we are going to have limited funds until that kicks in. As much as I hate to ask for help, my back is against the wall and I am seeking help with the finances of everything to help get me through this difficult time. 

The Backstory 
On a lovely afternoon in April of this year, I jumped over a ditch and landed wrong. Turns out I dislocated my ankle, which caused an avulsion fracture to my fibula and a large tear in my peroneus brevis tendon. I started seeing an orthopedic surgeon at U of U, and he quickly discovered I was extremely hypermobile, but we didn’t think much of it. 
Starting in July I began experiencing subluxations and dislocations of my shoulders and hips, which caused painful neuropathies down my arms and legs. I was put on large amounts of gabapentin, and I was also no longer allowed to lift anything over 5 pounds. About a month later my ankle started to get worse, I went in to get a cortisone shot and he told me I need surgery to reconstruct the tendon and ligaments in my ankle. That same day I lifted a couple of boxes (since I was getting ready to move again) and that night I couldn’t get to sleep until 4 in the morning because my shoulders hurt so badly.My hips and shoulders have hurt constantly since then. My surgeon diagnosed me with Ehlers Danlos and decided to get me into a rheumatologist. 
Fast forward to last Saturday. We went to the farmers market, and I decided to bring my knee scooter so I didn’t have to walk on my bad ankle. About 5 minutes into using it my knee started to hurt, but I just thought it was because I wasn’t used to using the scooter. The pain got worse, and I tried stretching out my leg and I couldn’t. I looked at my kneecap and it was about an inch above where it was supposed to be. I got back to the car, and to add insult to injury (literally), my shoulder dislocated when Derickwas trying to get me into the car. We took me to the hospital to find that my knee had vertically dislocated. So, I am now in a full knee brace, walking cast, and sling for my shoulder. My kneecap displaces constantly, even in the brace. When I lay down my shoulder slips out and I can feel the bones in my shoulder grind together.It’s great. 
I went in to see my rheumatologist on Mondayto confirm the EDS diagnosis. She examined me and told me that I have a severe hypermobility disorder, and she said she didn’t know if it was Ehlers Danlos, Marfan Syndrome, or something completely unknown. She set me up with a cardiologist, gastroenterologist, ophthalmologist, and I have an appointment with the U of U pain clinic to help control the chronic pain. I asked her what we could do to fix this, and she told me that no matter the diagnoses, there’s no cure or treatment for my disorder. For whatever reason the connective tissue in my body is deteriorating, and there’s nothing they can do to stop it. 

I’m going to have this for the rest of my life. 

Obviously this has been a major shock, I went from being able to do whatever I wanted to being unable to walk on my own in a matter of weeks. Some nights the pain is so bad I don’t sleep at all, other nights I fall asleep and wake up in excruciating pain from having slept wrong. It feels like my entire world has been flipped upside down. 

The Costs
I now need reconstructive surgeries on my ankle, knee, and shoulder. I will be seeing 6 different specialists in November, and having at least one surgery as well. I ended up having to quitmy job so I could apply for disability,  so I no longer have that steady income to help with medical costs, rent, etc.
$3,500 should cover costs of the surgeries anddoctors visits for this year. 

How You Can Help

Literally anything helps, guys. I will be selling prints of my artwork for $50, stickers for $10, and I will also eventually be making embroiderypieces and quilted tapestries that will be for sale as well. If you donate, let me know, and I would be more than happy to create something for you. 

Thank you so much in advance for your help and understanding. I love all of you.