Hello. If you’ve made it this far, THANK YOU for your time and consideration. As some of you may already know, recently Owen has been diagnosed with PANS/PANDAS.

Owens story began in October/November of ‘22. To make the extensively long story short, after missing school for 17 days for having multiple viruses at once, Brittany and Seth knew that there was something more wrong with Owen than was meeting the eye. He began withdrawing from everything he loved. He started experiencing signs and symptoms that were not familiar to him, making him seem like a totally different kid overnight. Brittany, along with the support of Seth, fought doctors for 8 months until she almost gave in, ignoring her intuition that something wasn’t right. After days and nights of research she began calling specialists all over the east coast. Ultimately, Britt and Owen traveled to Indiana in July to meet with one of the leading specialists in PANS/PANDAS.

After 10 gruesome months, they have their answers! Owen is suffering from not only PANDAS (Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcus) he also has a tick borne illness, black mold toxicity and a list of immune dysfunction related disorders that require treatment.

PANDAS/PANS occurs after an infection most commonly a strep infection; however, current research indicates that other bacterial, viral or environmental irritants can also cause persistent symptoms. A child’s immune system misdirects its response, and the reaction causes a process of inflammation to occur in the brain. The symptoms can vary from child to child, but the onset is sudden and dramatic .

Although we are ecstatic that Owen has a diagnosis and is on the road to recovery this road will be long, strenuous and challenging financially. Both Seth and Brittany are doing their absolute best to provide for Owen and Lylah on top of homeschooling Owen this year. As you all know this economy is not forgiving, so let’s bring back “community” and lend a helping hand to this family and lessen their load while they navigate these uncharted waters.

10/30/23

-A quick update on our superhero, Owen Knox! Owen is 3 months into full force treatment for Babesia, black mold toxicity, brain inflammation, an untreated strep infection and a host of other immune dysfunction disorders. Considering all things, he is adjusting well. He has settled into a routine with his 12 different medications and supplements and takes them independently without much hesitation now. He is also reading nutrition labels (even when mom and dad aren’t around)- quickly turning down the things he cannot have. Homeschooling has been tough for him, imagine trying to learn and focus with an inflamed brain!! For his family and himself, it’s hard to see just how much PANDAS has taken from him. He struggles with self confidence when he realizes that the things he once excelled at are extremely hard for him now. They’ve put book work aside and are busy cooking, climbing trees and digging in the dirt, experimenting with science and enjoying (somewhat) calm & stress free days. 

 His closest people are seeing more of the real ‘Owen’ daily. The mountain to climb is high, but he is climbing daily. He meets again with his doctor in November. & every two months after for the next 9 months (or longer).

 Insurance has only covered portions of his lab work, which will remain routine during his healing and treatment. Britt is currently in a battle with their insurance company to get his MD visits and diagnostic code covered. So far, they have paid for everything (outside of labs) out of pocket. AH, hasn’t she always loved education she is determined to make a change in this community. 

Currently, they are in the process of getting Owen into neuro feedback therapy. Yet, another treatment that will keep him off of antidepressant, antipsychotic and/or anti anxiety medications that insurance companies do not cover- imagine that. The cost is $2400 every 6 weeks, it is estimated that Owen will need 12-18 weeks of neurofeedback therapy.

It is extremely difficult for Brittany to work while Owen is in treatment. Let’s continue to share/ donate so that we can lessen the burden for The Brinkley family while they focus on healing Owen