Spinal surgery fund
Donation protected
For those of you that don't know me, I work for the United Nations in Mogadishu, Somalia. In November of 2015 following an injury to my lumbar spine whilst on duty, a severely herniated disc had left me with cauda
equina syndrome and, a need for urgent surgical intervention.
A spinal fusion was performed to rectify this, following three months' in a spinal brace all seemed to be going well and, I had returned to work. However, the relief was short-lived; as the months' progressed the pain and reduction in mobility began to increase. A number of other issues had manifested themselves along the length of my spine as a result of the original injury. Further discs had begun to severely herniate at the adjoining levels, placing additional pressure on the spinal nerve roots, coupled with a loss of feeling in my right foot and both hands and, an ever-increasing reduction in mobility.
In the December of 2016, my condition had deteriorated to the point where I could no longer continue to do my job and, returned home from Somalia to undertake further intensive medical treatment. Over the course of 2017 I have been undergoing intensive physical therapy and, other conservative treatments in an attempt to solve these issues; however, nothing seemed to work with my condition getting worse and worse. Eventually, In September of this year, it was discovered that along with multiple newly manifested issues, that my original surgery had failed and, I was diagnosed with failed back surgery syndrome/Pseudoarthrosis of the lumbar spine. The only cure for this is revisionary surgery which, was scheduled for the 6th November; whilst there remained a number of issues that will at some point require surgery, this was the one requiring the most urgent attention and, after a year of constant chronic pain, it appeared that I may get some sort of relief. This prospect was however short-lived; the medical insurance provided by the United Nations has refused to pay for the surgery despite this being the only cure.
Ordinarily, I would pay for this procedure myself, however, in addition to the problems I have been facing with my health the UN has for want of a better word 'washed its hands of me'. Whilst there are some truly amazing people within the orgainisation, many of which have gone above and beyond to help me; a number of processes and, the understanding of them falls short of the needs of todays UN. Since my return to Cyprus for treatment, there has been a non-stop catalogue of administrative errors, or delays that have essentially bankrupt me. Under the UN rules and regulations, the organisation is supposed to pay all medical and reasonably associated costs that have been incurred due to a service-related injury, this has not happened. They tell me that whilst the wording of the rule suggests this, that in reality it is done retroactively, and that due to lack of resources the process is expected to take a considerable amount of time; for 20 months' now I have been waiting for reimbursement of medical expenses and sick leave with no end in sight. My certified sick leave ran out months' ago, with the organisation placing me onto a reduced salary which does not cover my rent or bills, let alone pay for any medical treatment (I have been without pain medication now for six months'). I have used all of our savings, sold everything my family has of value (including most of my wives jewellery) in an attempt to keep our heads above water but, we can no longer maintain this, It has now got to the point where we are behind with our rent and facing eviction, our electricity is due to be cut off any day, we are in arrears with nursery and education fees for our children all as a direct result of me being injured at work. My wife has been working a seasonal job for $20 a night to make sure that at least our two children are fed each day, however, the tourist season is coming to an end and, with my increasing mobility issues I can no longer take care of our three-year-old daughter un-aided, so we will lose this.
I am a proud man and the thought of having to resort to begging for help makes me sick to my stomach; it is, however, the only way that I can see me being able to provide for my family, pay for this surgery and get on the road to recovery. Any donations that are made, no matter how small are appreciated more than you will ever know and, will help to cover the costs of the procedure, rehabilitation and more importantly keep my family housed and fed until I can get back on my feet.
Thank you and best wishes
Mark and family
https://www.webmd.boots.com/back-pain/guide/cauda-equina-syndrome-overview
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nonunion
equina syndrome and, a need for urgent surgical intervention.
A spinal fusion was performed to rectify this, following three months' in a spinal brace all seemed to be going well and, I had returned to work. However, the relief was short-lived; as the months' progressed the pain and reduction in mobility began to increase. A number of other issues had manifested themselves along the length of my spine as a result of the original injury. Further discs had begun to severely herniate at the adjoining levels, placing additional pressure on the spinal nerve roots, coupled with a loss of feeling in my right foot and both hands and, an ever-increasing reduction in mobility.
In the December of 2016, my condition had deteriorated to the point where I could no longer continue to do my job and, returned home from Somalia to undertake further intensive medical treatment. Over the course of 2017 I have been undergoing intensive physical therapy and, other conservative treatments in an attempt to solve these issues; however, nothing seemed to work with my condition getting worse and worse. Eventually, In September of this year, it was discovered that along with multiple newly manifested issues, that my original surgery had failed and, I was diagnosed with failed back surgery syndrome/Pseudoarthrosis of the lumbar spine. The only cure for this is revisionary surgery which, was scheduled for the 6th November; whilst there remained a number of issues that will at some point require surgery, this was the one requiring the most urgent attention and, after a year of constant chronic pain, it appeared that I may get some sort of relief. This prospect was however short-lived; the medical insurance provided by the United Nations has refused to pay for the surgery despite this being the only cure.
Ordinarily, I would pay for this procedure myself, however, in addition to the problems I have been facing with my health the UN has for want of a better word 'washed its hands of me'. Whilst there are some truly amazing people within the orgainisation, many of which have gone above and beyond to help me; a number of processes and, the understanding of them falls short of the needs of todays UN. Since my return to Cyprus for treatment, there has been a non-stop catalogue of administrative errors, or delays that have essentially bankrupt me. Under the UN rules and regulations, the organisation is supposed to pay all medical and reasonably associated costs that have been incurred due to a service-related injury, this has not happened. They tell me that whilst the wording of the rule suggests this, that in reality it is done retroactively, and that due to lack of resources the process is expected to take a considerable amount of time; for 20 months' now I have been waiting for reimbursement of medical expenses and sick leave with no end in sight. My certified sick leave ran out months' ago, with the organisation placing me onto a reduced salary which does not cover my rent or bills, let alone pay for any medical treatment (I have been without pain medication now for six months'). I have used all of our savings, sold everything my family has of value (including most of my wives jewellery) in an attempt to keep our heads above water but, we can no longer maintain this, It has now got to the point where we are behind with our rent and facing eviction, our electricity is due to be cut off any day, we are in arrears with nursery and education fees for our children all as a direct result of me being injured at work. My wife has been working a seasonal job for $20 a night to make sure that at least our two children are fed each day, however, the tourist season is coming to an end and, with my increasing mobility issues I can no longer take care of our three-year-old daughter un-aided, so we will lose this.
I am a proud man and the thought of having to resort to begging for help makes me sick to my stomach; it is, however, the only way that I can see me being able to provide for my family, pay for this surgery and get on the road to recovery. Any donations that are made, no matter how small are appreciated more than you will ever know and, will help to cover the costs of the procedure, rehabilitation and more importantly keep my family housed and fed until I can get back on my feet.
Thank you and best wishes
Mark and family
https://www.webmd.boots.com/back-pain/guide/cauda-equina-syndrome-overview
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nonunion
Organizer and beneficiary
Mark Barber
Organizer
Suzanne Marie Malapira
Beneficiary
