Help Abbey Walk Again

Abbey Skinner is organizing this fundraiser.

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Hi, my name is Abbey Skinner :)

I’d like to start with a heartfelt apology to my family, friends, past VA hospital co-workers, current ACHS colleagues, and Air Force “family” ❤️ . I disappeared, changed my phone number, ignored emails, and completely reclused since Feb of 2022, and here’s why…

I didn’t know how to tell you, I thought I’d get better, I was and still am scared that this is how I will live the rest of my life... permanently disabled, in constant pain, and unable to walk more than a few feet at a time. Most of all, I didn't want ANYONE to see me like this. I love you all, I just haven't been myself since this tragic event.

Before Photo - In April of 2021, I moved to North Dakota to start a new career as a Whole Health Coach at the Fargo VA hospital - I was healthy, strong, happy & super excited to finally have the opportunity to combine my two passions of holistic health and military/veterans!

In February of 2022, I was misdiagnosed with a “complicated UTI” and prescribed an antibiotic that should only be used as a last resort according to the FDA due to its black box warning, and potentially permanent debilitating side effects - Ciprofloxacin (Cipro). Within 2 weeks of consuming Cipro, I experienced extremely damaging side effects which have left me permanently wheelchair-bound and unable to walk more than a few feet at a time - it happened FAST, and I have not been the same since. This pharmaceutical drug destroyed my tendons, ligaments, muscles, and central nervous system - I can no longer use my body in a normal manner. Since Feb of 2022, I’ve lived with chronic debilitating pain, muscle burning, tendon burning, and constant full-body muscle twitching and jerking - it never stops. I require an electric wheelchair to "walk" any distance over a few feet, stair glides to go up and down stairs, a full-time caretaker, and our entire home had to be gutted and made handicap accessible in every manner possible so I can "function". Cipro has stolen my life from me, all due to a misdiagnosis and lack of following FDA recommendations (last resort medicine).

After Photo - 2 weeks after consuming Cipro - I could no longer walk.

Power Chair - I got my chair in April 2023, it’s given

me back some freedom :)

Handicap Conversion - ramp

Handicap Conversion - 3 stair glides, hallway widening and bathroom project

My entire life has been turned upside down, my favorite thing to do in the world - walk

everywhere - has been taken from me, and my body has been crippled. I’m doing my best to adapt with a positive attitude and a smile on my face, but this is honestly my worst nightmare, and there are days when I wish I were no longer here.

I need help, but I'm not good at asking for it, especially when it comes to money; however, at this point I am desperate. Living this way is not living, it’s suffering... there is no joy, there is no "break" - just constant suffering.

This incident cost me my government retirement (I would have retired in 2026), all my savings, IRAs, TSPs, all of it - it's taken ALL OF MY MONEY. I am not being compensated by the VA for this mishap; however, they have provided me with the mobility equipment necessary to function and the Caregiver Support Program which I am incredibly thankful for. Insurance does not cover treatment (repairing the cells that were damaged), it only covers pharmaceutical drugs that will NOT repair the damage - they only mask symptoms, clearly have side effects, and do not fix the root issue (cellular damage).

Lawsuit: Many of you may be thinking, why doesn’t she sue? I have contacted numerous attorneys, and here’s what they say - Cipro has a “black box warning” on the label so the drug companies are protected as it lists the side effects of the medication and says to use only as a last resort (meaning use other drugs first). For a malpractice case against the medical provider, I was told that because I didn't lose a life or limb, the case can't be won... even though I have lost the ability to function and have test results/diagnostics proving the misdiagnosis. If anyone knows of an attorney who would take my case please send them my way: [email redacted]

It truly sickens me that money has this much power over my health, but at this point, it does, and I need any help you are kind enough and willing to provide, please.

Treatment: After consulting with Dr. Mark Ghalili from the Regenerative Medicine Clinic in LA, treatment, travel & lodging will cost $80,000.00. I require a 1 month stay with treatment 5 days a week. This is the only place in the world that not only treats Cipro poisoning, but the doctor himself was wheelchair-bound from this drug, and he now walks again. This is my chance to walk again and lead a normal life.

https://regenerativemedicinela.com/treatments/cipro-toxicity-treatment/

If you cannot contribute, please don't feel bad, I understand - money can be weird.

I hope you can learn from my experience - pharmaceutical drug side effects are real, if it happened to me, it can happen to anyone, I don’t care what the statistics or medical providers say… please look out for yourself.

Thank you for reading and any help you can provide - Abbey :)

If a doctor wants to prescribe you a pharmaceutical drug, I encourage you to do the following (print this out and show it to them):

1. Is this drug a fluoroquinolone?

o If yes, ask for a different option, because it disabled my 39-year young female friend (and many others - just Google it). 10 times out of 10, there are other options!

2. Double-check to make sure it is not a fluoroquinolone

o Ciprofloxacin (Cipro)

o Gemifloxacin (Factive)

o Levofloxacin (Levaquin)

o Moxifloxacin (Avelox)

o Norfloxacin (Noroxin)

o Ofloxacin (Floxin)

3. Does this drug contain a fluoride molecule?

o If yes, ask for a non-fluoridated option, because fluoride is poison and accumulates in the body.

4. Use this drug checker database to see if your drugs contain fluoride and discuss with your doctor for alternatives:

https://truthaboutfluoride.com/drugs-that-contain-fluoride/

Spread the word - life is precious and these prescriptions ruin lives!