Gracie Oberneder is an 11 year old girl who suffered a very severe concussion in June 2014 and began developing a variety of medical conditions and side effects consistent with something called POTS or Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome. Symptoms are wide ranging and can include problems with the regulation of heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature and perspiration. Other symptoms include fatigue, lightheadedness, feeling faint or passing out (syncope), weakness and cognitive impairment. For the past 19 months Gracie and her family’s life has been turned upside down in a tumultuous and now rapid decline in Gracie’s capacity to function throughout the day across normal activities like standing up and sitting down, sleeping, walking, cognition, eating, and going to school. Prior to the accident Gracie was your typical active child that was on the swim team, running 10Ks, riding her bike all around her neighborhood, and just playing hard like all other kids. But since the accident she has seen a spiral of symptoms, medication, side effects of medications, more symptoms, more ER visits, constant doctor visits, and NO RELIEF that lasts any longer than an hour to 1 day at a time.

The accident and subsequent diagnosis of POTS is now a daily disruptive and frightening chase after more and more debilitating symptoms. It’s become akin to a RUNAWAY TRAIN.

For those of you who know Sarah and Dave, you know that they hold 3 jobs, have three young children, the responsibilities of a home, and have been active members of their church and community. They are the kind of people who would drop everything and help YOU.

If you have ever had a sudden life changing event, (illness, family illness, accident, home fire etc.) you understand how quickly “life as you know it” is replaced by a form of existence that feels like a never ending rollercoaster ride.

It has been 19 months since that accident and Gracie has been to the doctor or ER 300+ times, passed out (and often reinjured from the falls) more than 50+ times and has been experiencing an even more rapid and frightening decline since January 1, 2016. Sarah and her family have become daily and sometimes hourly “1st responders” and relentlessly and vigilantly chasing these symptoms and reacting to this ongoing situation.

NOW IS THE TIME TO STOP THE RUNAWAY TRAIN!

I am writing on behalf of Sarah, Dave, and Gracie to ask you for your financial help to help them regroup, reboot, and develop a strategic plan.

I believe that with increased time (via Sarah taking a 4-month Family Medical Leave or FMLA) and with financial support, Sarah can regroup and put her incredible energy, intelligence, networking skills, and discernment to develop a cohesive plan for Gracie, taking charge of coordinating and overseeing her daughter’s care and plan for treatment. This will allow her to pull together all of the current medical experts, research and learn about the new treatments available, and seek new options to support Gracie in stabilizing her treatment.

I am asking for your help in raising $32,000 to fund:

A 4 month paid Family medical leave for Sarah from her current fulltime position.                           
$1500 to fund Doctor Appt. co-pays for the next 4 months
$5000 to assist in accumulated unpaid medical bills
$1000 for the ER co-pays for the next 4 months
$700 for 4 months of uncovered medication costs
$500 for 4 months of electrolyte solutions necessary to keep her levels up
$600 for 4 months of uncovered required supplements
Travel expenses and medical fees for Sarah and Gracie to go to the Cleveland Clinic
Medical fees and travel expenses for Kinetic Bridging and Integrative Manual Therapy treatment in Chicago, Illinois.
Family respite and daycare costs for Matthew and Katie when needed.
Family Counseling and wellbeing care expenses
If you’re like me, you’ve been watching this story unfold and have felt helpless. This is the way to offer meaningful, directed support that will stop this runaway situation, help Gracie get into remission, and onto a total CURE!

If you know Sarah, you know that she will be helping many other families dealing with POTS with her ability to use social media, networking, and speaking out about issues she is passionate about. Let’s give her the reason to be able in the very near future to speak out about her daughter’s experience and a TOTAL CURE!

Your prayers are greatly appreciated for Gracie and on behalf of this fundraising effort. Please consider making a donation, hosting a fundraiser, sharing this site and asking others for their help.

On behalf of Sarah, Dave, and the Oberneder family a huge “THANK YOU!!!” in advance for your consideration and generosity.


Sincerely,

Katherine M. O’Keeffe