Mel Needs A New Prosthetic Leg
Donation protected
Hi, I'm Mel. At the age of 15 I was diagnosed with an extremely rare type of cancer, synovial cell sarcoma. Just a few days later I had my leg amputated below the knee. Over the next few months I was fitted for my first prosthesis. Against all odds (and the advice of my doctors) I taught myself how to walk, then run, and was back on the high school basketball court with my team just six months after my surgery.
For the past 16 years I have always kept a positive and very humorous attitude, living a full exciting life and doing everything I've desired. Through this experience I've been fortunate enough to have met tons of amazing people. I've been able to give back by donating my time and art to numerous charities supporting cancer research and other amputees.
Through all of this I have never considered myself "disabled" in my activites and everyday life. I work full time as an artist, creating my original metal sculptures and teaching local painting classes. I love to kayak, do yoga, and play with my awesome puppies.
Unfortunately, for the first time since my surgery 16 years ago I am feeling emotionally and physically limited. My current prosthetic leg is 9 years old and despite my best efforts (and a few dozen rolls of duct tape) it is no longer allowing me to live my life. Simply getting through a full day of teaching and creating art has become painfully unbearable.
Earlier this year I began the process of getting a new prosthesis made and so far it has been one of the most challenging roller coaster rides of my life. It has been a constant battle with my health insurance but I was finally able to meet with my amazing prosthetist Tom, the same man who built (and rebuilt) my first leg back in high school. I have paid a significant amount of money out of pocket to get to this point, knowing that I would have to pay more down the road. This past week I was told that I have to pay nearly $9,000 in 2 weeks or the production of my new leg will be halted. This brought me to a new feeling of helplessness, knowing that I could not continue walking on my current leg, nor could I come up with the money that quickly. In the end I will pay around $20,000 that insurance will not cover. With the encouragement of some people who care about me, I'm asking for your help to come up with the down payment for my new prosthetic leg. Every donation will be appreciated more than you will ever know. Please, if you are able, help me overcome this obstacle so I can get back out there and live my life with confidence, with purpose, with joy, and without pain. Thank you.
-Melissa Latimer
For the past 16 years I have always kept a positive and very humorous attitude, living a full exciting life and doing everything I've desired. Through this experience I've been fortunate enough to have met tons of amazing people. I've been able to give back by donating my time and art to numerous charities supporting cancer research and other amputees.
Through all of this I have never considered myself "disabled" in my activites and everyday life. I work full time as an artist, creating my original metal sculptures and teaching local painting classes. I love to kayak, do yoga, and play with my awesome puppies.
Unfortunately, for the first time since my surgery 16 years ago I am feeling emotionally and physically limited. My current prosthetic leg is 9 years old and despite my best efforts (and a few dozen rolls of duct tape) it is no longer allowing me to live my life. Simply getting through a full day of teaching and creating art has become painfully unbearable.
Earlier this year I began the process of getting a new prosthesis made and so far it has been one of the most challenging roller coaster rides of my life. It has been a constant battle with my health insurance but I was finally able to meet with my amazing prosthetist Tom, the same man who built (and rebuilt) my first leg back in high school. I have paid a significant amount of money out of pocket to get to this point, knowing that I would have to pay more down the road. This past week I was told that I have to pay nearly $9,000 in 2 weeks or the production of my new leg will be halted. This brought me to a new feeling of helplessness, knowing that I could not continue walking on my current leg, nor could I come up with the money that quickly. In the end I will pay around $20,000 that insurance will not cover. With the encouragement of some people who care about me, I'm asking for your help to come up with the down payment for my new prosthetic leg. Every donation will be appreciated more than you will ever know. Please, if you are able, help me overcome this obstacle so I can get back out there and live my life with confidence, with purpose, with joy, and without pain. Thank you.
-Melissa Latimer
Organizer
Melissa Latimer
Organizer
San Antonio, TX