VOS STRONG RECOVERY PROJECT
Donation protected
Allow me to introduce to you Lindsay "LV" Vos. She was born and raised in that beautiful state, up north of Ohio (xichigan). Growing up she was a college athlete with a big dream of joining the WNBA. Lindsay's dreams eventually led her to the University of Toledo, instead of the WNBA, where she graduated in 2011 with a degree in Recreational Therapy. At the ripe age of 22, she was ready to concur the world, until she was made aware God had other plans for her...
During our last year of college and shortly before graduation, Lindsay started having debilitating migraines that would leave her ill. As time progressed she continued to have migraines that were eventually accompanied by a temporary loss of function to the left side of her body. Yet, she didn't let it stop her from getting a degree she always wanted. She walked proudly to receive her diploma and also passed her national boards, letting few people know she was having such symptoms. She also landed a job and began working with few complaints. As 2011 came near to end, Lindsay underwent testing and finally had an answer to her symptoms. She was diagnosed with Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM - twisting of the arteries and veins) of the brain as well as un-diagnosed focal seizures.
Lindsay immediately began undergoing many tests and embolizations in attempts to shrink the AVMs that had formed, although it was successful, it unfortunately was not successful enough. In 2012 she was scheduled for brain surgery.
It was the morning of surgery, Lindsay was being prepped, when the physician came in to inform her they were calling the surgery off due to her high risk of permanent paralysis. Naturally, Lindsay was bummed, slightly relieved, but also still scared of the unknown. The neurosurgery team reconfigured a plan to only do yearly checks and continued testing despite the increasing risk of stroke or death. She knew this was going to be a disease she would have to fight the remainder of her life.
Over the next several years despite her worsening symptoms, Lindsay continued to live life to the fullest while attending her yearly appointments and ongoing testing. In early 2015, however, she had decided she was going to get a second opinion from the Cleveland Clinic. This was approximately around the same time Lindsay’s dad, Jim, began to have grand- mal seizures that came on abruptly. After undergoing multiple test himself, the findings showed that Jim, regretfully was the carrier of the same disease Lindsay was enduring. With more research they also found all four of Jim’s siblings as well as his mother carried the same gene that was later named, Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia (HHT). HHT is a rare autosomal genetic disorder that leads to abnormal blood vessel formation and can also be linked to cancer. Although, Jim put up a fight no man should ever have to go through, the level of the disease progressed quickly and he was called home in November 2015 at the age of 53.
In January of 2016 Lindsay made the ultimate decision to move forward with the brain surgery. As the surgery came near, she filed for FMLA, left her independent lifestyle in East Lansing, and moved back in with her Mom.
In January 2017- Lindsay underwent a 14 hour surgery to remove the now softball size AVM. The surgery came to be a success, however, during the surgery Lindsay suffered a stroke that in turn left her with hemiplegia (no function) to her entire left side. The surgery also was more intense than the physicians had anticipated which led them to place Lindsay into an induced coma for 6 days- they eventually weaned her off of the medications to allow her to wake up, yet she was ready. It was a stressful several days after she was taken off that she finally came to and she learned of the stroke/ her abilities. Yet, she didn't let this stop her.
Lindsay knew that the biggest battle was won yet, small battles still lied ahead of her. She immediately began inpatient rehab, and was eventually discharged to outpatient therapy. She continued to make great gains every day, however progress began to slow when insurance limited the number of therapy visits she was allowed in 1 year. She felt as if it was another small battle to concur when she made the decision to began paying out of pocket for therapy services. She continued to work hard and undermined that she had no income or insurance as she was dedicated and knew this is what would be best for her.
WHERE WE ARE NOW:
As of this past summer (2018), Lindsay has passed cognitive examinations and regained full function in her left leg. She is officially back to driving, found a new job that allows her to work part time so she can continue to focus on therapy, and has also successfully ran 2- 5K’s!!
As for the left upper extremity, well, it’s been a little more stubborn; just like Lindsay sometimes is herself :-). She has the capability to move her arm in all directions, but with limited range of motion. She is beginning to regain rotational function at her wrist and her hand has also started to regain some grasp. Unfortunately, this is not enough function for Lindsay to accomplish her goals of being able to do her own hair, go kayaking, play basketball, cut her own food, tie her shoes, etc.
PURPOSE OF THIS GO FUND ME:
This Go Fund Me is set up to provide Lindsay the financial support for her own SMART GLOVE.
An intricate part of therapy when retraining her brain for movements, is repetition. During therapy sessions Lindsay had the opportunity to use this device. Lindsay wears the glove on her left hand while following a computer program to complete certain task. Using the glove allows her to achieve approximately 450 various repetitions during a one hour treatment. Unfortunately, insurance will not cover the cost of this device.
Please consider helping Lindsay REGAIN THE ABILITY TO ACHIEVE HER GOALS. Anything, big or small is helpful. Your donation will be greatly appreciated!!
Smart Glove home page-
- http://www.rapaelhome.com/us/smart-glove-2/
During our last year of college and shortly before graduation, Lindsay started having debilitating migraines that would leave her ill. As time progressed she continued to have migraines that were eventually accompanied by a temporary loss of function to the left side of her body. Yet, she didn't let it stop her from getting a degree she always wanted. She walked proudly to receive her diploma and also passed her national boards, letting few people know she was having such symptoms. She also landed a job and began working with few complaints. As 2011 came near to end, Lindsay underwent testing and finally had an answer to her symptoms. She was diagnosed with Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM - twisting of the arteries and veins) of the brain as well as un-diagnosed focal seizures.
Lindsay immediately began undergoing many tests and embolizations in attempts to shrink the AVMs that had formed, although it was successful, it unfortunately was not successful enough. In 2012 she was scheduled for brain surgery.
It was the morning of surgery, Lindsay was being prepped, when the physician came in to inform her they were calling the surgery off due to her high risk of permanent paralysis. Naturally, Lindsay was bummed, slightly relieved, but also still scared of the unknown. The neurosurgery team reconfigured a plan to only do yearly checks and continued testing despite the increasing risk of stroke or death. She knew this was going to be a disease she would have to fight the remainder of her life.
Over the next several years despite her worsening symptoms, Lindsay continued to live life to the fullest while attending her yearly appointments and ongoing testing. In early 2015, however, she had decided she was going to get a second opinion from the Cleveland Clinic. This was approximately around the same time Lindsay’s dad, Jim, began to have grand- mal seizures that came on abruptly. After undergoing multiple test himself, the findings showed that Jim, regretfully was the carrier of the same disease Lindsay was enduring. With more research they also found all four of Jim’s siblings as well as his mother carried the same gene that was later named, Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia (HHT). HHT is a rare autosomal genetic disorder that leads to abnormal blood vessel formation and can also be linked to cancer. Although, Jim put up a fight no man should ever have to go through, the level of the disease progressed quickly and he was called home in November 2015 at the age of 53.
In January of 2016 Lindsay made the ultimate decision to move forward with the brain surgery. As the surgery came near, she filed for FMLA, left her independent lifestyle in East Lansing, and moved back in with her Mom.
In January 2017- Lindsay underwent a 14 hour surgery to remove the now softball size AVM. The surgery came to be a success, however, during the surgery Lindsay suffered a stroke that in turn left her with hemiplegia (no function) to her entire left side. The surgery also was more intense than the physicians had anticipated which led them to place Lindsay into an induced coma for 6 days- they eventually weaned her off of the medications to allow her to wake up, yet she was ready. It was a stressful several days after she was taken off that she finally came to and she learned of the stroke/ her abilities. Yet, she didn't let this stop her.
Lindsay knew that the biggest battle was won yet, small battles still lied ahead of her. She immediately began inpatient rehab, and was eventually discharged to outpatient therapy. She continued to make great gains every day, however progress began to slow when insurance limited the number of therapy visits she was allowed in 1 year. She felt as if it was another small battle to concur when she made the decision to began paying out of pocket for therapy services. She continued to work hard and undermined that she had no income or insurance as she was dedicated and knew this is what would be best for her.
WHERE WE ARE NOW:
As of this past summer (2018), Lindsay has passed cognitive examinations and regained full function in her left leg. She is officially back to driving, found a new job that allows her to work part time so she can continue to focus on therapy, and has also successfully ran 2- 5K’s!!
As for the left upper extremity, well, it’s been a little more stubborn; just like Lindsay sometimes is herself :-). She has the capability to move her arm in all directions, but with limited range of motion. She is beginning to regain rotational function at her wrist and her hand has also started to regain some grasp. Unfortunately, this is not enough function for Lindsay to accomplish her goals of being able to do her own hair, go kayaking, play basketball, cut her own food, tie her shoes, etc.
PURPOSE OF THIS GO FUND ME:
This Go Fund Me is set up to provide Lindsay the financial support for her own SMART GLOVE.
An intricate part of therapy when retraining her brain for movements, is repetition. During therapy sessions Lindsay had the opportunity to use this device. Lindsay wears the glove on her left hand while following a computer program to complete certain task. Using the glove allows her to achieve approximately 450 various repetitions during a one hour treatment. Unfortunately, insurance will not cover the cost of this device.
Please consider helping Lindsay REGAIN THE ABILITY TO ACHIEVE HER GOALS. Anything, big or small is helpful. Your donation will be greatly appreciated!!
Smart Glove home page-
- http://www.rapaelhome.com/us/smart-glove-2/
Organizer
Bethannie Schnipke
Organizer
Toledo, OH