Help For Christine

Hello, my name is Cathy Ballard. We took in my sister, Christine, 14 years ago and have cared for her in our home since that time.

Christine has Downs syndrome. She is 56 and about 5 years ago was diagnosed with Alzheimer's type Dementia which has added a new level of care for her.

We have been very blessed to have a supportive family and community who have stepped in to help meet her social and physical needs, but we are stressing the limits of our financial support.

The main reason we are setting up this GoFundMe is because of her eyes. She has a very big cataract in one eye that we have been watching for about 6 years or more. In that time her other eye developed a cataract and her eye doctor recommended that it is time to remove them both. Insurance will cover the cataract surgery. What we are raising money for is to remove her astigmatism and improve her near and medium vision. The surgery will improve her depth perception which will help her to be steadier on her feet and less prone to tripping and falling.

Christine has severe arthritis in both knees and ankles. We know that surgery and recovery is very difficult for neuro-normals. For Christine, it could be devastating as she will not understand the point of working through the intense pain of physical therapy so she can walk again. Considering this we have been working with doctors and insurance to do everything we can to keep her on her feet without surgery. So far God has been gracious to her.

Christine also has bad teeth. They are loose and falling out. We were able to put in 2 implants that insurance did not cover. We are working with her dentist to help determine what the next best step is.

We are so grateful for how the lord has provided for us during these last 14 years. We are now at a point where your assistance would be incredibly helpful as we enter the next phase of Christine's health. Though we have kept an emergency fund for Christine the money we have left in it at this moment will only cover 1/5 of the cost of the eye surgery not including other urgent needs.

Any money over and above the surgery we may receive from this GoFundMe will be used for Christine and her needs going forward.

At the time when she no longer needs funding...we will donate the remaining money to support an organization that serves people with Downs syndrome and their caretakers.

Thank you for your consideration in supporting Christine and her needs at this time.

The Ballard and Menk Families