Tristan's Treatment Fund!

As some of you may know, the Kimmey family had their lives turned upside down this last year as their oldest son, Tristan (13 years old) developed several serious medical issues. Due to his declining health, they have had the lives they once knew ripped apart. Tristan has had to quit football, start home schooling, depend more on a wheelchair, and had to have a feeding tube inserted to help assist him in getting nutrients.

Tristan lives in severe pain every moment of the day. On a good day, his pain level never gets below an 8 out of 10. He describes his pain as being crushed and on fire. He is extremely weak, exhausted, and can’t complete minimal tasks. He is starting to have vision issues and trouble speaking. He’s experiencing sharp pains in his feet, legs, and his arms that cause them to go numb, this causes him to lose his balance. His hands and feet turn yellow and become ice cold and feel on fire. His muscles and joints are constantly aching. His body cannot regulate itself, causing his temperature to go very high and then very low. His blood pressure drops spontaneously and his heart rate skyrockets, feeling like a heart attack.

 

Danny and Ashley are trying to stay strong as they watch their son suffer in pain that they have no control or power over. They have spent countless hours, days, and weeks in hospitals trying to get answers that cannot be found due to the complexity and ever-evolving disease and symptoms. They are working with a team at University Hospitals' long-haul clinic (Infectious Disease, Pain Specialist and GI) who have worked hard to help Tristan maintain a lower pain level, but have exhausted all of the resources available to them here in Cleveland.

Tired of being at a loss, watching Tristan suffer, and grieving Tristan’s childhood, Danny and Ashley have been referred to a program in Arkansas that specializes in chronic pain due to disabilities such as Tristan’s. The program isn’t covered by insurance and requires payment out of pocket. This would require Ashley to stop working and move to a new state to care for Tristan along with their toddler and would mean leaving Daniel with the other children back home, splitting the family away from each other.

 

With a proven success rate, and no more options available to them locally, the Kimmey family feels that this is the best place for Tristan to heal and recover. They understand the sacrifices and the funds needed are extreme, but Tristan can no longer suffer every day and lose his childhood any longer due to extreme pain - they are willing to give up everything to make this work.

If you’d like to help Tristan, every dollar and every prayer helps. If you are unable to give, please still share his story with your family, friends, coworkers, place of worship, and communities. All funds raised will be put towards Tristan's medical care and rehabilitation.

Thank you from the Kimmey Family.