Critical Care for Katie
Donation protected
Many of you know of my daughter Katie Whicker's life-long struggle with health (see her adoption story here). She was born with Treacher-Collins Syndrome (TCS), which left her with significant bone deficiencies in her face. In her 20 years of life, she's undergone at least 36 surgeries, each to try to correct the effects of this rare congenital condition that affects breathing, eating, sight and hearing. The last set of surgeries in 2011 were intended to extend her upper and lower jaw to give her the ability to chew, breathe and talk without further medical intervention. Instead, the surgeries left her in severe facial pain.
For 5 years now, we've searched far and wide for a solution to her debilitating trigeminal nerve pain - to no avail. Finally, after much study and prayer, we found an expert in peripheral nerve surgery who correctly analyzed the source of her pain, and has a solid plan to give her relief, so she can move forward with her college education and ultimate career as an American Sign Language interpreter.
The problem we face is that this doctor does not take insurance. It puts us, as her parents, in a difficult position: we want to provide our sweet daughter with this important solution to her pain, but the cost is prohibitive. We've never had to ask for financial help until now. The surgery is scheduled for October 2016 at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, MD. We have already purchased travel tickets, with faith that those whose lives have been touched by our dear Katie will help us gather the funds to pay for this very expensive surgery.
Katie's indomitable spirit has always been an example to everyone who meets her. She loves life, and yearns to make a difference in this world. Getting relief from this long-lived nerve facial pain will go far to give her a fresh start on her goals to help others through a productive career of service. We thank you in advance for making this dream of a pain-free existence a reality.
THANK YOU!
- Glenn & Pam Whicker, Katie's parents
For 5 years now, we've searched far and wide for a solution to her debilitating trigeminal nerve pain - to no avail. Finally, after much study and prayer, we found an expert in peripheral nerve surgery who correctly analyzed the source of her pain, and has a solid plan to give her relief, so she can move forward with her college education and ultimate career as an American Sign Language interpreter.
The problem we face is that this doctor does not take insurance. It puts us, as her parents, in a difficult position: we want to provide our sweet daughter with this important solution to her pain, but the cost is prohibitive. We've never had to ask for financial help until now. The surgery is scheduled for October 2016 at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, MD. We have already purchased travel tickets, with faith that those whose lives have been touched by our dear Katie will help us gather the funds to pay for this very expensive surgery.
Katie's indomitable spirit has always been an example to everyone who meets her. She loves life, and yearns to make a difference in this world. Getting relief from this long-lived nerve facial pain will go far to give her a fresh start on her goals to help others through a productive career of service. We thank you in advance for making this dream of a pain-free existence a reality.
THANK YOU!
- Glenn & Pam Whicker, Katie's parents
Organizer and beneficiary
Glenn Whicker
Organizer
Saint George, UT
Katilyn Whicker
Beneficiary
