Help with Devastating Medical Debt
Donation protected
Medical Debt Stands in the Way of Living
When I was diagnosed with a rare form of Muscular Dystrophy a few years ago I had no idea of the impact on my life. Besides being a chronic, incurable disease that has slowly robbed me of the good health I had been enjoying, MD has created a situation where my medical debt is compromising my life’s goals and dreams.
I have always been someone who embraced life and found ways to take on some huge challenges. Growing up with a very ill mother meant that I took on many responsibilities that don't affect the average child. Perhaps because of that experiene I took on other challenging work in my adult life. I started my first company importing clothing and art from Indonesia. After that I became a very successful fundraiser for the American Lung Association. And prior to 9/11, I ran the first successful adventure travel company ever, focusing on my passion for the country of Spain.
Unfortunately, my health began to fail slowly and my quest for answers has become the most important journey of my life. Living with a chronic disease takes up almost all the energy I have. To live with the stress of astronomical medical debt, for me, is just too hard.
I need help. Living the rest of my life will be a huge challenge that I work hard towards and accept as “the hand I was dealt.” By pitching in whatever you can, I hope to recreate my life once again focusing on what I CAN do and not what I can’t do. Your thoughtful consideration is what I need most and I thank all of you for doing so.
As a former marathon runner, it has been very difficult to live with a chronic disease. For years, my husband and I have been searching for a medical answer to explain why I live in so much pain and continue to get weaker and more fatigued everyday. In 2012, the Mayo clinic discovered that I have a type of Muscular Dystrophy that has never been seen before. Lucky me! I sometimes joke with people that I'm a mutant. Seriously, my quality of life has been completely altered and I have medical bills from the last 15 years that I cannot begin to pay down.
In 2013, my husband had a quadruple bypass and those expenses have just buried us. We have made all kinds of concession from renting out our home and living in the basement to try and cover these challenges.
It seems that these challenges come in waves. Our car needs a new transmission now and we don't have the money to repair it.
I am a point in my life where I need help. I need a hand-up to get through this debt and start focusing on how I can live my best life with a disease that is going to slowly make me weaker. As I said to a friend recently, I never dreamed my life would turn out this way. We all have our valleys and I am asking you to help me navigate my way out by donating whatever you can. I am so thankful for my friends and family and your thoughtful consideration to this major life crisis.
When I was diagnosed with a rare form of Muscular Dystrophy a few years ago I had no idea of the impact on my life. Besides being a chronic, incurable disease that has slowly robbed me of the good health I had been enjoying, MD has created a situation where my medical debt is compromising my life’s goals and dreams.
I have always been someone who embraced life and found ways to take on some huge challenges. Growing up with a very ill mother meant that I took on many responsibilities that don't affect the average child. Perhaps because of that experiene I took on other challenging work in my adult life. I started my first company importing clothing and art from Indonesia. After that I became a very successful fundraiser for the American Lung Association. And prior to 9/11, I ran the first successful adventure travel company ever, focusing on my passion for the country of Spain.
Unfortunately, my health began to fail slowly and my quest for answers has become the most important journey of my life. Living with a chronic disease takes up almost all the energy I have. To live with the stress of astronomical medical debt, for me, is just too hard.
I need help. Living the rest of my life will be a huge challenge that I work hard towards and accept as “the hand I was dealt.” By pitching in whatever you can, I hope to recreate my life once again focusing on what I CAN do and not what I can’t do. Your thoughtful consideration is what I need most and I thank all of you for doing so.
As a former marathon runner, it has been very difficult to live with a chronic disease. For years, my husband and I have been searching for a medical answer to explain why I live in so much pain and continue to get weaker and more fatigued everyday. In 2012, the Mayo clinic discovered that I have a type of Muscular Dystrophy that has never been seen before. Lucky me! I sometimes joke with people that I'm a mutant. Seriously, my quality of life has been completely altered and I have medical bills from the last 15 years that I cannot begin to pay down.
In 2013, my husband had a quadruple bypass and those expenses have just buried us. We have made all kinds of concession from renting out our home and living in the basement to try and cover these challenges.
It seems that these challenges come in waves. Our car needs a new transmission now and we don't have the money to repair it.
I am a point in my life where I need help. I need a hand-up to get through this debt and start focusing on how I can live my best life with a disease that is going to slowly make me weaker. As I said to a friend recently, I never dreamed my life would turn out this way. We all have our valleys and I am asking you to help me navigate my way out by donating whatever you can. I am so thankful for my friends and family and your thoughtful consideration to this major life crisis.
Organizer
Vicki Ward
Organizer
Vashon, WA