Support Gracie's Journey to Recovery

Many of you know the Wood family and their 17-year-old daughter, Gracie. In case you don’t, this is a family deeply rooted in our community, with Gracie’s mom serving as the Athletic Director of the school and her dad as the Varsity Girls basketball coach. Gracie herself is assistant coach to the Widget and JV girls volleyball teams, and the school gym is named after her grandfather, a testament to his love and commitment to the community and sports program within St. Anne’s.

Gracie is currently dealing with multiple neurological issues, including complications related to her brainstem, mid-brain, and vestibular system that are affecting her vision and balance, leading to extreme instability and fainting with every position transition, leaving her bedridden on her worst days. Secondary to that, she is battling dysautonomia that is complicating the other issues.

Just two years ago, Gracie was an active high school athlete, playing volleyball and basketball, and enjoying life with her family and friends. Today, as a senior, her life has drastically changed. She spends most of her time resting and is limited to short trips around the house with the assistance of her family. Her daily routine is plagued by numerous fainting episodes, constant headaches, nausea, dizziness, inability to regulate her body temperature, fatigue, and 'brain fog.' Despite countless visits to specialists, therapies, dietary adjustments, and biofeedback treatments, her condition remains extremely challenging.

Traditional treatments have not provided significant relief, leading Gracie to explore unconventional and alternative treatments that are not covered by insurance.

In her relentless pursuit of better health, Gracie has decided to return to the Northwest Functional Neurology clinic in Portland, Oregon. This intensive treatment program will require her to stay there again for an undetermined amount of time, where she will undergo detailed neurological examinations, various therapies, and consultations with specialists experienced in managing patients with complex brain disorders and dysautonomia. This was the first clinic to get to the root of her problem rather than treating her symptoms. The treatment provided by this clinic in 2023 has proven to provide her with the best result thus far, giving her reason to continue treatment with this clinic. (She was treated in October 2023 and was able to return to high school part-time in January 2024 and was playing volleyball for her high school in the fall!)

While Megan, Ken, and the rest of the Wood family are hopeful that this treatment will bring Gracie closer to recovery, it comes with significant financial costs. Your contribution, regardless of the size, will make a meaningful impact on her journey. It will help cover the costs of treatment, travel, accommodation, and other related expenses not covered by insurance, as well as her past medical bills. Your generosity will provide Gracie with the hope and resources needed to fight this and regain control of her life.

Thank you for your support and consideration.