Russell's IDEO Brace Fund
Donation protected
HI!! I'm Chelsea Frisby and I am excited to announce this fundraiser for Russell Allmandinger.
Russell was born with club feet on both legs. Growing up as kids you wouldn't have known Russell struggled at all. He has the best attitude and is one of the most kind, patient, helpful, determined, funny, thoughtful, generous human beings I have ever known.
We have been friends for about 25 years now, we grew up in a small town in Central Texas called Hamilton. Run of the mill small town kids- football games, pasture parties that kind of stuff. During high school Russell's beautiful mother was diagnosed with lung cancer so he took on the majority of their household duties as a teenager. We graduated high school in 2003 and one year later at the age of 19 his mother lost her battle with cancer and went to heaven. All the while, he was left to take care of their home and his younger brother. He made the tough choice after her death to leave Texas and head out to Las Vegas to be closer to their dad and to pursue a career in which he could make money to help raise his little brother.
As he got into adulthood the struggles with his legs became evermore apparent to him and the pain so unbearable that he ended up amputating his left leg. This surgery spurred many issues for him including a chronic pain syndrome called Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, or commonly referred to as the Suicide Syndrome. There is no cure for this syndrome and is something he will fight through everyday for the rest of his life.
Fast forward five years post amputation surgery and here we are.
He currently is needing to get a surgery on his nub to get rid of a tumor that prohibits him from wearing a prosthetic properly and being able to walk.
In addition to all the issues with his left leg, Russell has been having continual problems with his right leg to the point where he is facing some tough choices.
In an effort to save Russell's right leg and to avoid amputation his doctor has recommended a specialty brace called an IDEO Brace. This type of brace is traditionally used in military hospitals for veterans. It is a custom brace that his insurance doesn't cover and is pretty costly - around $18,000 out of pocket for him. In addition to the cost of the brace his family will have to travel to Washington State for a combination of 3 weeks for moldings, fittings and therapy sessions so that is what the extra funds are for in my set goal.
If you are reading this page, chances are you know Russell personally and want to help him. And if you don't know him I hope something about his story resonates with you and inspires you.
Here is how to help- donate to this GoFundMe. Please donate what you can and know that every dollar will be going to improving Russell's life by getting this brace and fulfilling his dreams to raise his sons the way he has always wanted.
Wrestling, running and playing football with his two year old is an achievable goal if he gets this brace.
"If we attack our problems with determination we shall succeed"
- Franklin D. Roosevelt
If you want more information about the brace here is a link to a video that talks about it in detail :
IDEO Brace Video Explanation
Russell was born with club feet on both legs. Growing up as kids you wouldn't have known Russell struggled at all. He has the best attitude and is one of the most kind, patient, helpful, determined, funny, thoughtful, generous human beings I have ever known.
We have been friends for about 25 years now, we grew up in a small town in Central Texas called Hamilton. Run of the mill small town kids- football games, pasture parties that kind of stuff. During high school Russell's beautiful mother was diagnosed with lung cancer so he took on the majority of their household duties as a teenager. We graduated high school in 2003 and one year later at the age of 19 his mother lost her battle with cancer and went to heaven. All the while, he was left to take care of their home and his younger brother. He made the tough choice after her death to leave Texas and head out to Las Vegas to be closer to their dad and to pursue a career in which he could make money to help raise his little brother.
As he got into adulthood the struggles with his legs became evermore apparent to him and the pain so unbearable that he ended up amputating his left leg. This surgery spurred many issues for him including a chronic pain syndrome called Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, or commonly referred to as the Suicide Syndrome. There is no cure for this syndrome and is something he will fight through everyday for the rest of his life.
Fast forward five years post amputation surgery and here we are.
He currently is needing to get a surgery on his nub to get rid of a tumor that prohibits him from wearing a prosthetic properly and being able to walk.
In addition to all the issues with his left leg, Russell has been having continual problems with his right leg to the point where he is facing some tough choices.
In an effort to save Russell's right leg and to avoid amputation his doctor has recommended a specialty brace called an IDEO Brace. This type of brace is traditionally used in military hospitals for veterans. It is a custom brace that his insurance doesn't cover and is pretty costly - around $18,000 out of pocket for him. In addition to the cost of the brace his family will have to travel to Washington State for a combination of 3 weeks for moldings, fittings and therapy sessions so that is what the extra funds are for in my set goal.
If you are reading this page, chances are you know Russell personally and want to help him. And if you don't know him I hope something about his story resonates with you and inspires you.
Here is how to help- donate to this GoFundMe. Please donate what you can and know that every dollar will be going to improving Russell's life by getting this brace and fulfilling his dreams to raise his sons the way he has always wanted.
Wrestling, running and playing football with his two year old is an achievable goal if he gets this brace.
"If we attack our problems with determination we shall succeed"
- Franklin D. Roosevelt
If you want more information about the brace here is a link to a video that talks about it in detail :
IDEO Brace Video Explanation
Organizer and beneficiary
Chelsea Frisby
Organizer
Champion Forest, TX
Lading Allmandinger
Beneficiary