Hi, my name is Courtney Jordan, and I’m creating this GoFundMe on behalf of Claire Altenhofen and her two sons who currently live in Sedgwick, ME.
Claire is currently in the fight of her life. She is living with severe heart failure and is waiting for a heart transplant. In November 2023, she underwent open-heart surgery, including a septal myectomy, and had both a pacemaker and defibrillator implanted. Despite this, her condition has continued to worsen. She has hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and atrial fibrillation, and her ejection fraction is down to 10% at rest (normal is 50–70%).
Everyday tasks are exhausting for Claire. Her doctors have told her that she will soon be unable to walk around independently. She has a mobility scooter, but many places—including her own home, community buildings, and stores—are not accessible for her to safely use it.
On top of managing her own critical health needs, Claire is the primary caregiver for her 2-year-old son, who is nonverbal and autistic. Due to his needs and safety concerns, she is often awake throughout the night. He sleepwalks and wakes disoriented, unaware of danger, and Claire must physically get up to protect him—something that is becoming increasingly difficult and unsafe for her.
She has applied multiple times for a safety bed to keep him safe at night, but insurance has denied coverage each time. (Insurance has quoted roughly $14,000 out of pocket cost).
Claire also has a 16-year-old son, who helps as much as he can, but they do not have the “village” or support system that so many families rely on. Claire is doing her best to provide shelter, food, and care for her children on a very limited fixed income while juggling constant medical appointments and declining health.
Right now, the most urgent need is to build a custom safety bed for her youngest son (the wood has already been provided). If you are willing to assist with this please reach out to Courtney Jordan here on Facebook for further information and details! (An additional flyer will also be posted).
Funds raised will also help with:
Basic bills and living expenses
Necessary home adaptations
Gas and transportation to medical appointments
Help caring for her son
Other essential needs as they arise
Claire is also facing the reality that she must begin putting plans in place to ensure her children are cared for and safe, no matter what the future holds—a burden no parent should have to carry alone.
In Claire’s own words:
“I am hoping to get a chance to see my kids grow up. I don’t want to leave them behind.”
If you are able to donate, share, or support in any way, it would mean more than words can express. Let’s help lift some of the weight off this incredible mama and give her and her boys the support they so deeply deserve.
Thank you for taking the time to read and for any kindness you can offer.