Paying It Forward For Parkinson's

Hello,

My name is Tina and most of you know me as an outgoing person, smiling, enjoying life and caring for others.  As an Independent Sales Director with Mary Kay for the last 24 years I have been inspired by other women to succeed and pass the torch to others.  For those of you who do not know me, thank you for even taking the time to read this.


Mountain biking, one of the activities I used to enjoy.

In August 2014, I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s.  My symptoms started way back in 2009 with a slight twitch in my left index finger.  Back then my doctor told me not to worry about it... That it was only an essential tremor. As time passed, my symptoms progressed to a full tremor on the left side of my body, my left arm stopped swinging, and I developed a dropped left foot which left me dragging my left foot & leg when I would walk. I was in constant pain with stiffness and rigidity.  Life became very difficult for me.  Every task that seemed so easy, like getting dressed, brushing my teeth, etc... became so strenuous.

Prior to my initial diagnosis, in February 2012, I was told by a neurologist that I may have Parkinson’s and that I would have to wait 2 years to see a movement disorder specialist. Apparently, this is the standard wait time in Ontario.  My regular GP said it was because they actually want a patient to get worse so they could be sure of a diagnosis.  I thought this was terrible.

Since my diagnosis I was offered many Parkinson’s drugs which do not offer a cure and have horrible side effects that could be worse than the actual disease.  The specialist told me that I would develop complications after a while.  To this day, not one person has been cured by western medicine provided for Parkinson’s.  This is why I chose not to take any of them & have been drug free since the beginning.

After doing a lot of research on the internet, I chose to do many alternative natural therapies.  I changed my diet completely, added supplements, began seeing a naturopath for the following:

glutathione IV’s & Myer’s cocktail B vitamin IV’s $12,669.00
a chiropractor & rehab therapist $ 3,545.00
TCM – acupuncture, Chinese herbs & qigong exercise,   $3,000.00
Bowen therapy $ 800.00

Total :$20,014.00

Eleven months ago I went for a stem cell transplant to StemGenex in Santa Monica, California, air fare & accommodation and HBOT (hyperbearic oxygen therapy) $30,000+. The stem cell transplant gave me many positives gains.  My medical expenses are now beyond $50,000 this last year and it’s been extremely difficult & overwhelming dealing with everything, especially when I haven’t been able to work much.


With Mom right before the OR.


With Dr. Mark Youssef the day after my transplant.


One of many sessions in the HBOT chamber.

I have a strong desire to have a second transplant as soon as possible because the results from the first one were so good! So…this fund raising campaign is an urgent request for your help as I am still having issues with my gait and balance and using my left arm.  I strongly believe that if I had done this treatment much earlier, my outcome for recovery would have been much better.

The gains experienced from my first were tremendous! Within 48 hours I immediately started to feel better.  My balance and mobility improved and I was able to walk better, my left side face paralysis went away, I had overall way less pain, I regained my bladder control because I was starting to loose it, my writing improved, and I sleep better now. (See video's below).  Raising this amount of money is very difficult for me to ask for and not something that I find easy to do.  I have always been extremely independent so asking for any kind of money is out of the ordinary for me.

I have exhausted my lines of credit, credit cards and received help from family. Unfortunately it’s not enough and that’s why I’m asking for your help.  There is no OHIP or medical coverage here in Canada for a stem cell transplant because it’s still considered experimental research.

My goal is to completely reverse my symptoms so I can pay it forward by sharing my story with others who are suffering from this disease and told that there is no cure. I’ve learned that several people have healed themselves through natural therapies. Just imagine what could be done for people like me if stem cell transplants were offered immediately and made available through health care coverage.

I will certainly keep you up to date on my journey.  Thank you for your continued prayers and any support that I receive.  At times I have been very frustrated, but I am strong, I am determined and I believe in myself.  I believe that I will be ok and know that God will get me through this.

If you cannot help all I ask is that you share my GoFundMe campaign with others within your circle of friends and contacts that may be able to help.  

May God bless you all.

The day before my transplant July 21st 2015.  I could barely walk video link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bcP0pIjXu0

Five days after my transplant video link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=viC5ij3tLRQ

Almost 3 months after the transplant video link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMA9kitWwlQ