Hello all, I'm starting a gofundme for my sweet girlfriend Becky, who just had intensive complex knee reconstructive knee surgery to remedy a lifelong problem of dislocations. She had the surgery on her right knee, and needs to have the same surgery on her left knee in the fall of this year. Becky will be missing quite a bit of work while recovering, but her bills are still going to pile up, now with additional medical expenses to boot.

She was born with what her doctor calls multi-directional joints. This is also known as being double-jointed. While it was fun when she was young because she could do cool tricks such as putting her left foot behind her head while standing on only her right, twisting her fingers into unnatural positions, popping her shoulders out of joint to scratch the “hard-to-reach” places on her back, etc. - it has also been quite the burden. She has inadvertently dislocated both knees so many times throughout her life while doing activities such as simply walking, playing outside as a kid, while walking down stairs, ice-skating, in work places, snow sledding, cross-country skiing, dancing, etc. After 36 years of dislocations, severe cartilage loss, a broken kneecap, multiple sprains, bruises, and so forth, it was time for a fix!

On April 23, 2024, Becky had intensive Complex Knee Reconstruction on her right knee and will be getting the same surgery on her left knee this fall.

Recovery has been challenging. Not only has it been extremely painful from the steel plate and screws in her Tibia, the swelling and edema has been causing extreme discomfort and pain. There is a cold therapy system her doctor recommended that is not covered by her insurance, but will help her recovery immensely.

She will be out of work for at least 12 weeks (possibly longer) for each surgery. She is currently out on short term disability which is only a portion of her pay.

In her words

"Aside from worrying about making ends meet financially while recovering, it’s harder to do literally everything. The easiest of tasks are now so exhausting. It takes strength to ignore the pain and just be in a good mood. I am is not able to go to the gym and I can’t leave apartment by myself. I need help feeding my cats, watering my plants, doing laundry, bathing, dressing, preparing meals and cooking. I’m unable to drive, stand/sit/walk for more than a couple mins, use stairs, grocery shop or even go to the store by myself. I’m a fall risk due to left knee instability and the inability to use my right leg. I'm really worried that I won't be able to afford to pay all of my normal bills, let alone the new medical expenses that are added in."

I know it's a big ask, and normally neither of us ask for help, it's a difficult thing to do. I would be so eternally grateful to everyone who can help out in any way they can. I know Becky has never been able to run, has constant anxiety about just simply walking and standing and needed these surgeries to be able to remain healthy. Lets help her run up some mountains next year without carrying a mountain of debt on her back!

Cheers friends.