Help Fund Michelle's Upcoming Surgeries
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Our family is launching this fundraising campaign to help our daughter-in-law, Michelle Clossick (pictured in the center with our daughter, Kristi, and their son, Bailey, above), pay for upcoming surgeries related to the traumatic brain injury (TBI) she suffered in an auto accident caused by an uninsured driver nearly three years ago. Michelle is one of the most kind, generous, talented, capable and accomplished women we know, and the world needs the contributions she can continue to make with restored health and well-being. Please help us help Michelle with whatever level of donation you can spare!
Here is Michelle’s story, in her own words:
As you may know, I experienced a TBI in a car accident nearly three years ago. We have been on a long journey of discovering what is causing my often-debilitating symptoms and taking measures to do everything possible to support recovery. I have made remarkable progress, but last year I was informed that I should not expect to see more improvement. Then, we found a world-renowned specialist (www.earandbalance.net) in Louisiana that has discovered the source of most of my challenges. After intensive assessment and initial treatment, we have learned that I need surgery in both of my ears to alleviate severe vertigo, nausea, headaches, and extreme sensitivity to light, sound and motion. This requires separate surgeries because only one ear can be repaired at a time. It also involves multiple lengthy trips to Louisiana as I have to stay in certain positions for a week following surgery and some procedures. My uninsured motorist medical pay runs out soon and my health insurance will not cover this treatment. Between costs of travel, the cost of seeing the neuro-otologist in Louisiana (which we have to pay upfront), and the expenses we have incurred after nearly three years of treatment with neurologists, physical therapists, vision specialists, neuro-otologists, neuro-endocrinologists, etc. we have depleted savings and used credit as much as is reasonably possible. We are currently trying to raise $25,000 to cover ongoing expenses associated with this process. We have come up with this amount by looking ahead at the cost (to us) of two surgeries and follow up appointments in Louisiana.
I thought it might be helpful if I shared a little more detail about our journey. Initially, I was told I had a concussion and should be back to work soon, but during my treatment, I lost my job as founding Executive Director of The Cocoon, a comprehensive domestic and sexual violence service agency in Bowling Green, Ohio. Early on, I learned that I had vertical heterophoria which was described by my doctor as an inability for my eyes to see on the same vertical or horizontal plane. It took 2 years and at least 6 changes in my lenses to get my vision corrected. During this time, I also developed intractable migraines and have spent 2 years getting these to a manageable level. About a year in, I was getting much worse, barely functioning and unable to drive. It was then that I learned my pituitary gland had been wiped out in the accident and would never function again. This resulted in expensive medications and daily injections that I will take for the rest of my life as my body no longer produces hormones necessary to live. Of course, I have some ongoing cognitive challenges, manifested in slow processing and struggle focusing, especially if there is any motion, sound or changes in light.
Without these surgeries, I will live with a level of vertigo that is like sitting or walking and being on a “tilt-o-whirl” or in a gravity room with everything on tilt. I am currently unable to drive most of the time; I still cannot cross the street or walk across a busy parking lot unassisted; I cannot walk our dog around the block even though we used to walk a few miles a day; I rarely go out because stores, restaurants, and community events are too over-stimulating. In addition, without surgery, I will have to take medications for the rest of my life to reduce pressure in my ears that come with great side effects that are further isolating.
Please know that we are blessed with so much love and support. I am at peace with my situation and am ready to accept if this is just too much and live life as fully as I can with my current symptoms. It is a relief to finally know what is going on. At the same time, if it is possible to further heal and function, I would welcome that opportunity with gratitude and joy.
We are so grateful for your thoughtful consideration and blessed by love and support and amazing healers that have gotten me this far. If you can help, even in the smallest way, we are deeply grateful. If you have flight miles or travel vouchers that you can share, this will help reduce travel costs for us. At the same time, if you cannot help financially, but you hold us in your intentions/prayers, we are equally grateful. Any monies raised that we cannot use for these surgeries and treatment will be used for accrued medical debt from this injury and/or care of others in need. Finally, we appreciate your sharing this message if you are so inclined.
I could not have gotten through this without constant tender love and care from my beloved spouse, Kristi Hannan, love and humor from our son, Bailey, and so much love, care, and humor from dear family and friends. I would also be remiss if I did not thank the Buddhist Temple of Toledo for welcoming and embracing me and teaching me to sit quietly and be present with compassion along this path. This has truly been transformative.
With deepest gratitude, Michelle
Here is Michelle’s story, in her own words:
As you may know, I experienced a TBI in a car accident nearly three years ago. We have been on a long journey of discovering what is causing my often-debilitating symptoms and taking measures to do everything possible to support recovery. I have made remarkable progress, but last year I was informed that I should not expect to see more improvement. Then, we found a world-renowned specialist (www.earandbalance.net) in Louisiana that has discovered the source of most of my challenges. After intensive assessment and initial treatment, we have learned that I need surgery in both of my ears to alleviate severe vertigo, nausea, headaches, and extreme sensitivity to light, sound and motion. This requires separate surgeries because only one ear can be repaired at a time. It also involves multiple lengthy trips to Louisiana as I have to stay in certain positions for a week following surgery and some procedures. My uninsured motorist medical pay runs out soon and my health insurance will not cover this treatment. Between costs of travel, the cost of seeing the neuro-otologist in Louisiana (which we have to pay upfront), and the expenses we have incurred after nearly three years of treatment with neurologists, physical therapists, vision specialists, neuro-otologists, neuro-endocrinologists, etc. we have depleted savings and used credit as much as is reasonably possible. We are currently trying to raise $25,000 to cover ongoing expenses associated with this process. We have come up with this amount by looking ahead at the cost (to us) of two surgeries and follow up appointments in Louisiana.
I thought it might be helpful if I shared a little more detail about our journey. Initially, I was told I had a concussion and should be back to work soon, but during my treatment, I lost my job as founding Executive Director of The Cocoon, a comprehensive domestic and sexual violence service agency in Bowling Green, Ohio. Early on, I learned that I had vertical heterophoria which was described by my doctor as an inability for my eyes to see on the same vertical or horizontal plane. It took 2 years and at least 6 changes in my lenses to get my vision corrected. During this time, I also developed intractable migraines and have spent 2 years getting these to a manageable level. About a year in, I was getting much worse, barely functioning and unable to drive. It was then that I learned my pituitary gland had been wiped out in the accident and would never function again. This resulted in expensive medications and daily injections that I will take for the rest of my life as my body no longer produces hormones necessary to live. Of course, I have some ongoing cognitive challenges, manifested in slow processing and struggle focusing, especially if there is any motion, sound or changes in light.
Without these surgeries, I will live with a level of vertigo that is like sitting or walking and being on a “tilt-o-whirl” or in a gravity room with everything on tilt. I am currently unable to drive most of the time; I still cannot cross the street or walk across a busy parking lot unassisted; I cannot walk our dog around the block even though we used to walk a few miles a day; I rarely go out because stores, restaurants, and community events are too over-stimulating. In addition, without surgery, I will have to take medications for the rest of my life to reduce pressure in my ears that come with great side effects that are further isolating.
Please know that we are blessed with so much love and support. I am at peace with my situation and am ready to accept if this is just too much and live life as fully as I can with my current symptoms. It is a relief to finally know what is going on. At the same time, if it is possible to further heal and function, I would welcome that opportunity with gratitude and joy.
We are so grateful for your thoughtful consideration and blessed by love and support and amazing healers that have gotten me this far. If you can help, even in the smallest way, we are deeply grateful. If you have flight miles or travel vouchers that you can share, this will help reduce travel costs for us. At the same time, if you cannot help financially, but you hold us in your intentions/prayers, we are equally grateful. Any monies raised that we cannot use for these surgeries and treatment will be used for accrued medical debt from this injury and/or care of others in need. Finally, we appreciate your sharing this message if you are so inclined.
I could not have gotten through this without constant tender love and care from my beloved spouse, Kristi Hannan, love and humor from our son, Bailey, and so much love, care, and humor from dear family and friends. I would also be remiss if I did not thank the Buddhist Temple of Toledo for welcoming and embracing me and teaching me to sit quietly and be present with compassion along this path. This has truly been transformative.
With deepest gratitude, Michelle
Organizer
Carole Schwinn
Organizer
Brooklyn, MI