Devante Needs Your Help

The last 578 days have been some of the longest and trying for Devante, and our family. August 24th, 2015 is the first of many events that have led us to today and our need for your help. First, some background on what our life looked like before everything changed. Devante, my son is your all American kid, born and raised in Stillwater, MN. Devante has been on a field in some fashion for most of his childhood. Baseball, Football and Track is where he shined the most. Not to brag(or maybe a little)  He has competed at state level and took the record for the 100 meter dash and was competing at a Varsity level since his freshman year, he thrived in school, worked part time and enjoyed spending time with his friends and family, and then.... that all changed. The first was a tragic accident at our family cabin where Devante suffered pancreatic injuries, after weeks of healing we were faced with additional symptoms of pain that had us chasing specialists, procedures, tests and more tests. In March of 2016 we had a new Diagnosis of C-Diff, A severe bacterial infection in his abdomen, The amount of pain and evasive procedures had no bounds, this included;  multiple rounds  antibiotics and a fecal transplant from the Mayo Clinic. My heart broke as I watched him trying so hard to heal but all he could think about was missing his senior year and football season.  He was now forced out of school, sports, and work. I was helpless in anything I could do to help.   How did we get here...  With two months left before graduation, Devante persevered and was able to walk with his class. Frail with a forced smile he was able to celebrate for the first time in months.  With the summer ahead of us we were ready to put this all behind us, then…  Symptoms worsened and new ones occurred we were right back to where we started but this time it was worse…   After 6 months, 7 trips to the Mayo clinic another diagnosis, now he is faced with PFD (Pelvic Floor Dysfunction) His body is now literally working against himself.

Will this end…

Our reality, now we know what’s wrong and we can fix it, right???? No, now we have yet, another obstacle. Insurance has refused to cover his procedure and Mayo refuses to confirm an apt without payment or insurance approval. We wait. Devante is unable to start college or enter back in the workforce with the medications he is forced to take to manage his condition.

Please help us give Devante his life back.