Help Ease Abby's Suffering

Our Huntley neighbors, the Ratcliffe family, need our help. Abby Ratcliffe, 16, who has had a rough few years after her Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) diagnosis is suffering from gastoparesis on top of the constant body pain, headaches, joint dislocations and everything else EDS related. Gastoparesis literally means that the stomach & intestines are paralyzed. Her entire digestive system has slowed down so much it is basically not functioning at all. At this point she is on liquid nutrition and hydration which she takes through a nasal gastric tube (a tube up her nose into her stomach).

After being in and out of hospitals (an average of every 5 weeks) Abby's parents have wait-listed Abby into a well known and respected team of motility doctors @ the Children's Hospital in Milwaukee. However, their insurance has rejected coverage for the Digestive Motility Manometric study that Abby's doctors consider vital in figuring out which parts of her system are not functioning and how to help her the best. Cyndi & Tod Ratciffe are responsible for around $41, 000,  depending on what gastric parts are not functioning & what kind of medical equipment needs to be used once the test begins. Many cost-saving measures are in place & Abby's doctors are diligently working with them to reduce costs as much as possible. However, in order to find out what the problem is the doctors need to know what works and what doesn't. Sadly, the insurance company is not interested and will not cover the medical expenses. In order to help our friends we are starting this go fund me page in hopes that Abby may regain some of the quality of life that most of us enjoy & take for granted.

After years of collecting & donating money via the          "Friends for EDS Foundation " and organizing events like the Talamore Trot for EDS research, the Ratcliffe family needs our help with covering this medical test so that Abby could maybe eat a meal in future without becoming violently ill, and lead as normal of a life as possible. No amount of money or prayer said is too small. 100% of all donated money goes to the Ratciffe family and they will have full control of this account. Please, help us in lifting our friends and neighbors. God bless you!