Help Our Son David In His Battle With MS

For the past 8 years, we have been helping our 44 year old son, David, battle a very aggressive form of the debilitating disease Multiple Sclerosis*.  Over the last two years, his condition has worsened dramatically.

David had been taking Corticosteroids, Tecfidera and Acthar Gel (a week long self injection medication)  -  These were originally prescribed in the hope that it would reduce inflammation and slow the negative effect on the immune system. They have had limited effect and no longer help. 

He is now struggling to take steps with his walker, losing his eyesight, and is in tremendous pain from migraines, vertigo, and muscle deterioration.  He has severe fatigue and depression, and is starting to loose feeling in his arms and hands. Every year, after receiving a 5-day infusion of Lemtrada (a chemo-like drug), he must be at home in isolation for 5-9 months to allow his immune system to recover. His rehabilitation and set-backs, along with new financial challenges have changed our lives in ways we never imagined. It is now time to reach out for help.  Any support toward our goal is a step toward bringing back life balance and security as we work to stabilize David's condition. If you are not in a position to donate, please help David by spreading the word and sharing his story.



Fundraising proceeds will be used towards the following (along with other estimated expenses over the next 2 years):

1. Motorized standing wheelchair
-Allows patient to come to a standing position to improve bone density

2.  Motorized bed
-To raise head, feet and vertical lift

3.  Medical Expenses such as:
-arm and leg braces
-Vision care
-Intensive physical therapy 
      - in home and at outside facility
      - in home physical therapy equipment

4.  Van with wheelchair lift:
-A wheelchair accessible vehicle able to transport a 400lb motorized wheelchair with a lift

5. Create a wheelchair accessible home:
-Wheelchair ramps
-Stair lift
-Strategically placed handrails
-Wheelchair accessible furniture
-Handicap bathrooms for the home- Wide space for wheelchair,
          -rails around the toilet and bath/shower, low wash basin,
-Wheelchair accessible shower.

6. Prescription Medications


David is currently taking 8 different prescriptions medications daily to help manage everyday symptoms.

Oxybutynin -  used to treat symptoms of overactive bladder
Myrbetirq -  for incontinence
Baclofen -  for muscle symptoms including spasm, pain, and stiffness.
D-amphetamine salts - for severe fatigue and concentration issues.
Methimazole -  for overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism).
Acyclovir -  antiviral med for Lemtrada treatments.
Ketoconazole cream -  antifungal medication that is used to treat infections caused by fungus.
Alprazolam- anxiety / panic attacks, stress relief, insomnia

Thank you for taking the time to get to know our son's story. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your kind generosity and support.  There is no contribution too small - every little bit helps us get one step closer to being able to provide David with everything he needs.

* For those that are unsure about this disease, Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an unpredictable, often disabling autoimmune disease of the central nervous system. In MS, your immune system, which normally helps to fight infections, mistakes myelin (neuron coating) for a foreign body and attacks it. This damage (in the form of lesions on the brain and spine) disrupts the flow of information travelling along nerve fibers from the brain to the body. Serious life-altering conditions that come with this disease are: total paralysis of the limbs, slurred speech, loss of vision, vertigo, muscle spasticity, painful involuntary muscle contractions, extreme fatigue and depression.