Wheels for Whit

Whitney Lavender is organizing this fundraiser.

Donation protected

Life can change in the blink of an eye. I never in a million years envisioned myself in such a place, but here we are...

On November 27, 2017 my life, my family's lives, were forever changed. It was a typical day in my world. Taking a break from the office to pick up my boys from school. That day I had to go inside and sign off for a basketball jersey for my oldest. We said our goodbyes and went to leave. I reached the top step, and before I knew what was happening, fell hard down the set of stairs. I'm still not sure how my legs bent up underneath me and I basically slid down the steps on my shins and knees. It hurt, BAD. But I was initially mortified, got up, brushed myself off, said I was fine, and loaded the boys up in the truck. Driving was hard, but I made it back to the office. My husband could see from my face that something wasn't right. I pulled up my jean pant legs and showed him the already black, purple, and blue colors that covered my legs. Little did we know that day, what else was in store for me and my health journey. On February 27, 2018 (exactly three months later) I was diagnosed with a rare disease that I had never before heard of - CRPS or Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (some may still know it as RSD or Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy). CRPS is a rare neurological condition which causes the brain to send constant pain signals to the body. I damaged a nerve under my knee, and now my nerves don't know how to be nerves anymore basically. This disease is the most painful condition known to mankind (ranking higher than childbirth and amputation without anesthesia) and there is NO cure. Yes it hurts ALL THE TIME! It never doesn't hurt. This constant chronic pain takes it's toll on the body, mind, and soul in many ways. Since that day I have also undergone brain surgery to treat a Chiari Malformation, received a diagnosis of EDS (Ehlers Danlos Syndrome), and my journey continues as doctors are still seeking answers for an undiagnosed illness that is greatly contributing to my decline.

Needless to say, the medical bills incurred since November 2017 have been overwhelmingly outrageous!! This year alone, 2019, we have spent $40,000+...this is NO JOKE! Every doctor visit, MRI, procedure, medication, treatment, insurance premiums, etc. etc. etc. The doctor recently determined that in order for me to continue living my life at the pace that I currently am, which includes working, (yes, that's right, I refuse to lie down and let this rare disease overcome me - my family needs me!) I will need a complex power rehab wheelchair. My insurance company has pre-determined that the requested wheelchair is medically necessary given all of my medical records...however, unfortunately that does not mean that it is paid for. (I should also mention that a couple weeks back there was an incident with my current manual wheelchair in which I tipped over backwards in it, and injured myself further.) The wheelchair placement company is requesting a $5,000 down payment before the order can be placed for the chair. This is not something that we had expected or accounted for at all...especially after what we have already spent this year alone. Furthermore, we will also need a vehicle that will transport me in the new wheelchair, and hopefully get me closer to one day regaining some of my independence. (I haven't been able to drive since February of 2018.) $5,000 of what we are asking for will go to the down payment of that new vehicle to make monthly payments manageable.

Again, I never imagined in a million years that I would be reaching out and asking for help in this way. I am generally the person trying to help others! We have always been extremely self sufficient people, and have worked very hard for everything we have. This is a difficult thing for me to do. One thing I am learning through this journey is that it is okay to reach out for help...so here we are. Anything helps and is tremendously appreciated!