River's Medical Fund

Help Me Fight.....

I have been battling the progression of Multiple Sclerosis for fifteen years. I have been paralyzed, stricken with ungodly amounts of pain, and had multiple life altering changes but my attitude and spirit have stayed positive and strong until now.

               Spasticity* is trying to cripple my hands.

I am an artist and poet foremost a mother. My life depends upon my hands functioning every day. Through the years, I have had to accept many losses physically that have majorly altered my life due to my disease. ** I can't lose my hands too. Spasticity is not new to my life.***I have had mild spasticity in my legs for the last decade. Over the years, it has increased in my legs and crept up into my arms and hands. Today, my hands are curling and stiffening and the muscles in my arms and back are spasming daily even with medication. Eventually, my upper body will cripple if nothing is done. Losing my hands has always been my biggest fear. 
                        * find more information below*

                                     There is Hope! 

There are two different approaches left for me to try to help battle the severe muscle spasms of spasticity. My Neurologist prescribed Medical Cannabis to try first before the invasive Baclofen pump.**** I would continue taking Baclophen orally along with the   Medical Cannabis prescribed in liquid form.
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This is where you come into the story. Insurance doesn't cover Medical Cannabis even though it is legal in Minnesota for registered patients and I am a registered patient. I do have insurance but live on a fixed income. 
I have no extra money for medicine or alternative doctors. The prescribed Medical Cannabis will cost me $300 - $445 monthly from the dispensary. 

* Medicine/Money Breakdown
$300- covers med for spasticity (liquid/orally) and one for pain (liquid/spray)

$445- covers the above plus one more med (liquid/orally) for p ain, insomnia, appetite, nausea, spasticity  and another for pain (liquid/e-cigarette).


                     Please help me fight for my hands.              

                       Donate to River's Medical Fund
Donations: 
First, money will go to pay for my prescription of Medical Cannabis from a dispensary.
Secondly, the money will go towards alternative appointments and medicines not covered under insurance. Naturopathic, essential oils, Massage....

Other Benefits I receive from Medical Cannabis:
-relief of the pain and involuntary movements from nerve spasms
-sleep for the insomniac
-relieve of nausea from pain
-hunger lack of appetite from pain

This is an ongoing project until other funding is found or insurance starts covering it.  

Please contact your legislatures to lobby for a decrease in the cost of Medical Cannabis and for it to be covered by insurance.

The top donation every three months will receive a copy of my book "Stumbled & Standing" kindle or hard copy  (below) 

my website    
                              

                                             Thank You
                                          for your time


* more information

*mild to severe muscle spasms and involuntary movements from nerve damage.
click to listen to a poem about spasticity "Theatrical Limbs"  

**  I was very physically active for most of my life.  I loved sports, hiking in the mountains, backpack camping, dancing on the weekends, and long walks through city streets. Then in my early thirties my life became sedentary with my 3rd relapse. I have walked with a cane for the last ten years and currently need a walker due to my lack of balance. My sway is nearly gone and my self-esteem fluctuates. 

***   The spasms are a daily occurrence for me. At their worst my right leg wants to curl up next to my head and my right arm is going to break someday. Currently, I take 20mg four times a day. I cannot increase the Baclofen I take orally for two reasons. The first is the side effects could increase. I have enough problems with them already.  Secondly, sometimes the drug is not working right and the spasms become worse. I end up having to take another muscle relaxer and a narcotic.

**** Medical Cannabis has been proven to help the muscle spasms of spasticity. The Baclofen pump is the traditional approach but is a surgical procedure. The pump is placed under your abdomen skin and is wired up the spine. The vanity aspect I can live with but I don't feel comfortable about the pump being wired up the spine. It will cost more in the long run too.


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