I am seeking help for the Casterline Family, a loving family of five going through unimaginable circumstances. All five family members have serious medical issues stemming from tick-borne infections.
I met Kim and her family while going through my own battle with tick-borne illness. Kim was supportive and kind and willing to help however they could despite their own struggles. I can personally attest to the horrific nature of this disease as well as to the personal and financial devastation that too often is associated with it. Of the many families I have met battling tick-borne illness the Casterline's stand out in need due to the severity of their illnesses, their continued dedication of helping others, how many people in their family are affected by it, and the financial need.
Here is a little bit about their story:
A few years ago, after working extensively with a specialist in the United States, Kim's symptoms deteriorated during the pandemic where the hospital had reserved care for those effected by the pandemic. They found a clinic out of the country run by an International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society (www.ilads.org) trained doctor. She received more than three months of intensive and aggressive treatment that was unavailable to her in the United States. This greatly improved her condition.
Currently their two daughters have developed a horrific autoimmune disorder stemming from the tick-borne infections called PANS/PANDAS. Their middle daughter Abby is currently in adult diapers, most of the time doesn't know who she or her family is, also she is functioning at a kindergarten level. Her parents must bathe her and change her and take care of her similar to a toddler. When she is in a flareup she has uncontrollable outbursts of rage and aggression that is traumatic for the entire family. She is receiving treatment, including IVIG and plasmapheresis (a huge cost!), and is seeing slow but hopeful signs of progress such as recently relearning to tie her shoelaces. The extent of what they are dealing with is unfathomable.
Shortly after Abigail began treatments their eldest daughter Emily developed severe symptoms including depersonalization and obsessive-compulsive behaviors. Emily is losing muscle tone and continues to repeat, pace around the apartment and stare at herself in the mirror, “I'm not Emily, I miss her, I'm an evil kid, everyone is Ok-I'm dead..." She is now also requiring extensive treatments including IVIG and plasmapheresis.
There is hope to recover with kind donations, and caring and loving support. They rely on Dean's modest income to keep food on the table. They rent an apartment and are extremely uncertain about what their future holds. They are triaging their life and just keeping their heads above water.
I can think of no other people more deserving and more in need of help from the broader community. No contribution is too small, and every contribution is considered a blessing and appreciated beyond words.
Let's help give this family a fighting chance as well as hope that they can build a future for their three children. These people are the first to help others despite their challenges. They are facing more than most of us ever will in a lifetime.
All funds donated are USD and will go towards their many medical costs.
To learn more about PANS/PANDAS and how neuropsychiatric symptoms can be caused by antibodies attacking the brain please click on this link: