Release Drew's Cord! Help cover medical expenses

Please help Andrew King raise the money in time for spinal cord un-tethering surgery. Although he's been apprehensively counting down the days since scheduled 3 months ago, it wasn't until his pre-op appointment mere days ago, that we were informed that his portion of the bill that insurance didn't cover, must be payed IN FULL and PRIOR to the procedure, which is scheduled for only 2 days from now. Drew hasn't been able to work for a little while now, which has taken a toll on him mentally as well as monetarily-we just don't have it! But Drew DOES have a tethered spinal cord. It HAS taken a great deal from him, and without this surgery as soon as possible, it's only going to get much worse. The last few years, several seemingly different medical issues began to plague a very good man. After an extensive and exasperating journey through countless doctor's office visits, he learned the root of his recently developed health issues was a tethered spinal cord, a byproduct Spina Bifida. His spinal cord has been stretched-severely. At some point as a child, his spinal cord became attached to a small mass residing much lower on the back than normal. With every passing day, gravity pulls it down a smidge further. Well, it's reached critical mass and is like a rubber band ready to snap. The ONLY treatment for this is surgery to un-tether the nerve endings. The effects of this condition on his lumbar region have already taken control of the #1 of his basic human functions. Following this will be the loss of control of his digestive and reproductive functions. One of his legs is dramatically smaller in muscle mass, and because the feelings in his feet are diminishing, his balance has drastically declined as well. He's started to fall down-frequently. The sooner he has the surgery, the higher chance there is of reversing some of this. While each passing moment threatens the loss of more bodily operations until, amongst other abilities, this condition fully claims his ability to walk. He's scared, as already his feet occasionally become numb and tingly, and feel "heavy". The stretched spinal cord is pulling on his discs and vertebrae all the way up to the skull. This stress combined with any sort of trauma to the spine has resulted in several severely herniated discs and tremendous pain.

After finding a neurosurgeon we felt confident with, surgery was scheduled 90 days out and time has crawled by excruciatingly slowly since then. Now we are down to the wire, but only JUST found out the hospital will NOT accept payment plans for the $3500 out of pocket cost and they require it up front. Please, we are asking for any donations so that he may have this surgery as scheduled on Tuesday, the 20th. He HAS to have this surgery or his condition WILL worsen, eventually paralyzing him from the waist down. Please don't let this happen to the most compassionate, kind, considerate man I've ever known. He's always willing to help anyone he can, and does, although physical restrictions make it difficult. That said, Drew hasn't been able to work for some time now, and that helplessness has been dispiriting in someone I admire for maintaining a usually happy, playful, and patient disposition.

Prior to these medical issues, Drew was dealt some painful, discouraging cards. He and his family suffered the unexpected tragic loss of someone very close, followed shortly after by the loss of yet another very close loved one. Just as he seemed to be recovering from that, he began being plagued by an onslaught of unexplained medical problems. All of which trace to his tethered cord. My point is, Drew NEEDS A WIN. He deserves to not have this condition debilitate him any further. Please don't allow him to suffer anymore loss-this time it would be of himself. We MUST raise this money. He MUST have this surgery, and cannot afford to wait. Please don't just reason that someone else will donate. Realize that you can make a difference in Drew's life. I implore you to donate anything you can. We've only got 1 day left but it can be done! Please. Thank you so much for taking the time to read this and for any support you can give. Godbless.

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2/22/24

UPDATE: Drew had the surgery, and although hopeful of the beneficial effects, he is in AGONY. We underestimated how severe of a procedure it is, and what's going to be required to get him back to "normal", at the least just able to walk 5 feet. This is going to be a long road, but there's no one that deserves loving support more than Drew. This was for the best, and we wholeheartedly thank everyone that has contributed so far. You made this possible. God bless you!