Scott Wray's Brain Recovery and Cancer Fight

NOTE:

This fundraiser is ongoing and the total funds raised has accumulated over the last 8yrs. Deposits are used for Scott’s immediate needs. 

Alternate donation methods (I’ve received feedback that people want to donate more directly. The fundraiser will be adjusted accordingly).

CashApp: $MrWray

Venmo: @IonWrayMedia

PayPal: MrWrayMan - [email redacted]

INTRODUCTION

Hi, my name is Scott Wray. Thank you all so much for reading this. In 2016 I suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI). After the incident I discovered I had sustained injury to my neck and brain (balance issues due to vestibular damage), permanent bursa damage (elbow bursitis that causes limited range of arm motion), and spinal nerve damage down my back and leg (sciatic pain and limited back movement). Sadly, I have been unable to fully recover from these injuries and I am now disabled. During the initial MRI scans for the TBI, my doctors also made me aware that they found a large unrelated mass in my brain. Just beginning to regain some mental clarity after the head injury, this news was so challenging to hear. I'm still having trouble managing the practical steps to remedy the situation. So thank you for reading my story and for any donations you can offer. 

BRAIN INJURY & DISABILITY 

I was in the disability application process for over 4yrs now and my disability lawyers couldn't believe I was denied benefits but it just goes to show brain issues are too complex for disability courts. So I have just been trying to live a somewhat normal life, doing everything I can while suffering from my injuries. Living with the symptoms of the brain tumor for years, and now recovering from brain surgery while also trying to juggle medical appointments and run my small business. The symptoms I deal with on a daily basis that prevent me from having a normal life originate from the vestibular damage. The vestibular function of the brain is important for eye tracking, balance, neck movement, and/or any kind of physical labor jobs or long computer work sessions. Rendering traditional work unmanageable. In addition, I now suffer from severe PTSD due to the brain injury and surgery conditions, this creates other frequent challenges with sleep and mental health. The most recent of these disabilities to overcome (and distinguish from the potential brain tumor/brain surgery symptoms) are neuropathy/nerve damage issues that effect motor function, my nervous system and cause erratic muscle spasms twitching in my face, back, leg and arm.

BRAIN TUMOR & ONCOLOGY

The physiological symptoms from the brain injury in addition to the psychological strain from the brain tumor surgery disallow me a normal life. All these symptoms are anxiety inducing even after I have had the tumor removed. This greatly affects my mental well being. My Neurologists and oncologists found the tumor to be cancerous. My neuro-oncologist believes the cancer was completely removed but I will be monitored for cells that could be hidden but slow growing. Based on my genetic markers I should have a good defense against a returning cancer as long as I am healthy enough for chemo. The surgeon removed as much of the tumor they could but it was likely growing most of my life. The removal of the mass saved my life and if my next scans come back clear, I may be able to recover from the brain damage with a normal life expectancy. But I still have more scans and serious neurological capacity issues that create a lot of suffering. 

SUSTAINABLE GOALS

My hope is that I can build my small media production business and use this fundraising campaign to be self sufficient until I receive my disability claim. I have been unable to attend or have had to postpone physical therapy and surgery appointments due to lack of resources. My goal is to be in a place where I can manage my brain injury/surgery recovery and follow through any cancer treatments like chemo and radiation. I do not have complete financial or logistical support needed at this time to support myself sustainably through this process of healing and juggling recovery and or treatment. So I need your help in order to continue recovery from the brain damage and monitor the potentially still existing cancer. 

MONETARY GOALS

This $15,000 goal would subsidize living costs for 1yr of recovery from a difficult and challenging brain surgery. Support funds would help me achieve self sufficiency with my ongoing brain injury, surgery recovery and cancer monitoring. Things can be financially challenging, as well as psychologically and physically demanding. This fundraiser allows for support to some living expenses, groceries and transportation costs to doctors so that I can live a somewhat normal life and set myself up to recover from brain surgery and fight any cancer that might come back during my first 1yr of monitoring. 

FUNDS BREAKDOWN: (for 1yr of recovery)

Monthly Help w/ Rent Not Covered by SSDI

Monthly Help w/ Groceries Not Covered by EBT 

Monthly Help w/ Rides Not Covered by Ride to Care 

Monthly Help w/ Bills Not Covered by Fixed Income

Monthly Help w/ Various Living Expenses Not Covered by my Small Business.

$20,000 TOTAL FUNDS for surgery recovery and a 5yr cancer remission.

HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE

OHP covered the surgery, initial physical therapy and oncology, but going to all these appointments does conflict with my work schedule so your help allows me to subsidize days where I am unable to work. Not included in this fundraiser goal are all the holistic treatments and supplements that my insurance does not cover. These treatments and supplements may be even more effective than chemo and radiation. So I may need to update my goal again soon once I get a better understanding of what these treatments will cost and what isn’t covered by OHP.

THANK YOU

Thank you all with all of my heart. It has been a long road. I really appreciate any friendships I can create in addition to raising funds. I look forward to creating a more sustainable support system with groups of close friends, since family cannot always sustainably help. To those closest to me, you know how much I love you. I will continue to push and push in this battle, and your ongoing support has been so humbling and means the world to me.

-Scott Wray

OTHER HELP

I'd also like to state that practical and logistical help with rides to doctors and assistance doing errands is just as helpful as any monetary donation. I'm at risk of seizure so am currently not driving. I'd also love to reconnect (practicing social distancing) with anyone and everyone who is available to help me navigate some of the doctor and lawyer appointments or just hang out and provide any emotional support before/after I go to those appointments. This kind of support is why I am alive today, so thank you!

RESOURCES

Another potential way to help me is to follow and share the media production company I started (Ion Wray Media) through social platforms so that I can continue to build out my client base and keep sustainable work. Thanks again so much to all my clients!

My Company Website:

ionwraymedia.com

My Company Facebook:

facebook.com/ionwraymedia

My Company Instagram:

instagram.com/ionwraymedia