Heads Up for Keri's Cause
Donation protected
Hi, we are Steve and Claire, long-time friends of Keri.
Keri Davis has spent her life helping others, and now she is the one needing help. Will you join us in raising funds so that she can travel to the US for essential treatment that is not available in Canada?
Without this treatment, the quality of Keri’s life is rapidly deteriorating into endless days of incapacitating pain and neurological problems.
At 59 years young, Keri is now faced with a debilitating condition which has brought her life to a near standstill. Because we love Keri and because of everything she has done for so many others, we are creating this campaign to raise the funds she needs for this potentially life-changing treatment.
The Medical Problem
Over the years, Keri has experienced significant injuries to the Alar Ligament in her neck which has caused upper cervical spine instability, also known as Craniocervical Instability (CCI.) CCI is a poorly understood condition that can be extremely debilitating. Regrettably, it is often missed or misdiagnosed by medical providers who in turn treat the symptom and not the root cause. What’s more, it is a degenerative condition – meaning that if left untreated, the older Keri gets the worse her symptoms and their effects will become until she is resigned to a life of pain and dependent living. Many people who have experienced severe whiplash or sporting neck injuries have and do experience a host of similar symptoms to Keri, but until recently, there has been no way to officially diagnose the structural root of the problems and patients have been left to suffer intense pain and a diminished lifestyle. This remains the case in Canada, however, accurate diagnosis and intervention treatments have been developed in the US and this is why we are raising funds to help Keri get there.
CCI creates excessive movement between the head and neck and in a nutshell, Keri’s neck is no longer able to support her head. This instability has caused movement and damage to the upper cervical joints, discs nerves and blood vessels in her neck, and in turn, this has caused non-local neurological problems such as intense body pain, migraines, visual and sensory problems, balance, digestion and even heart rate issues….a long list all stemming from this one area of injury! As well, her muscles and tendons have been working overtime to stabilize the upper neck and these have become overwhelmed and injured.
There is hope for Keri, but it means that she will have to travel to the Centeno-Shultz Clinic in Colorado to receive treatment. As you can imagine, this comes at a very high price and is not covered by Canada Health or any health insurance plan in Canada. Keri now finds herself in an extremely challenging position.
As someone self-employed with only limited savings to speak of, she can neither afford the treatment nor the lost earnings she would incur if she took the necessary time to travel for multiple treatments and recuperation time.
Who Is Keri
We liken our friend Keri to Tinkerbell, the feisty fairy in the story of Peter Pan. Partly because she is petite with short blonde hair, but also like Tinkerbell, Keri is playful and headstrong with a naughty sense of humour which inspires her to be a constant practical joker. Rules and social norms have never held much sway with Keri, they just get in the way of living large. Her life’s MO could be summed up by Katherine Hepburn’s famous quote, “If you obey all the rules, you miss all the fun.” Think jumping from planes, hitchhiking at the tender age of 18 through remote areas of Mexico, and riding pillion while dirt biking!
As well as her fun-loving adventurous nature, Keri has spent most of her life helping the vulnerable and those who cannot speak up for themselves, most notably animals and the elderly. As a young child, Keri’s affinity with animals was already well established and she often brought home injured or stray cats in need of care. As an adult, she has dedicated her life to advocating for animal welfare and has endlessly volunteered her time rescuing and caring for shelter animals. Driving non-stop for several days from western Canada to New Orleans to rescue dogs and cats displaced by the flooding of Hurricane Katrina sums up just how big Keri’s heart is when it comes to our furry friends. Similarly, Keri has always felt a great kinship with the elderly, and she has devoted much time and energy brightening the days of many a lonely old soul. Aside from helping with shopping and chauffeuring to medical appointments, Keri always makes sure her elderly charges get in on the action of her practical jokes, bringing an impish delight to their otherwise uneventful worlds.
Collected Funds.
All collected funds are presently deposited in my personal bank account. Once received I make an e-transfer directly to Keri. usually as an e-transfer of 1, 2, or $3000. I update Keri daily.
Links for additional insight
Fundraising team (2)
Steve Mowvley
Organizer
Calgary, AB
Claire Honeyman
Team member