Wendy Zimmerman Basnett

Update 12/14/23: Wendy is eager to stand and walk again as well as regain full function of her hands. She has taken some steps with a walker and maximal assistance, but requires the wheelchair for mobility and will for a while. Her left leg and foot is very swollen with the possibility of a large blood clot near her foot. It will be a long road ahead. Thank you sincerely to everyone who has donated so far. Wendy is so relieved to have her rent and other expenses paid for the next little while as we work on getting her disability benefits. That could take months to be approved, with likely a pattern of denials and appeals, so we are increasing our goal amount so that Wendy can keep her house for her and her kids!!!

Hi, thanks for reading. I'm attempting to raise funds for Wendy's bills that have accrued since she has not been feeling herself, and finally got some answers over 3 weeks ago when she was finally admitted to the hospital where she has been since. Wendy has been diagnosed with a severe vitamin B12 deficiency which has resulted in a long list of debilitating symptoms that started possibly in early summer or earlier, but got severe enough for her to seek medical attention in October when she had difficulty speaking. You can read more about Vitamin B12 Deficiency here: https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/vitamin-b12-deficiency-can-be-sneaky-harmful-201301105780

When she had difficulty with word-finding, the doctors could not identify a stroke, but through imaging did discover another genetic condition that could affect her later in life. However, it did not explain the symptoms she started to have days later, when she lost sensation and use of her hands and legs/feet, had memory loss and confusion, and a fever. When she was unable to walk unassisted, Wendy was finally admitted to the hospital. Since being admitted she has started B12 injections as well as physical therapy. She has regained some functional use of her left hand, more than her right. She is still unable to stand very long or walk. Her cognition has improved! On 12/1/23, the doctors discovered she had several clots in her legs, which could be interfering with her ability to walk.

If you know Wendy you know that she has worked long hours on her feet for years, usually two jobs at a time. Being bed-bound in the hospital for nearly three weeks has been difficult on her mental, emotional, and obviously physical health. There is no clear plan for discharge at this time but the hope is for her to enter an intensive rehabilitation center for physical therapy and occupational therapy.

Wendy's bills have slipped gradually the past few months. Resources have been gathered for possible assistance but are still being sifted through. Meanwhile, December rent is due, as well as utilities, insurance payments, personal property tax, and overdrawn bank fees. Wendy is seeking social security disability due to the long-lasting neurological and physical effects this diagnosis can have. The application for social security disability is long, tedious, and usually comes with a pattern of denials and appeals. This is all in-process but she needs help to keep her house and bills paid until hopefully some income is approved.

Again thank you for reading and considering a donation. I will do my best to update how she is doing on this page!