Help Me Access Brain Injury Treatment

Some of you know me as Rachel and some of you know me as Vaughn and some of you may not know me at all. I am a psychotherapist and live in New England. In 2017, I sustained a traumatic brain injury while playing roller derby. Quickly after the incident, I began experiencing debilitating symptoms. I was lucky enough to be able to access treatment including speech therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy which was covered by insurance. Though I never regained my full functioning, I did make significant progress in my recovery.

In 2019, I moved away from Salt Lake City and my treatment team, to Western Massachusetts. For awhile, I continued to see improvement but then as the pandemic began and I was forced to switch to telehealth for work, my symptoms began to worsen. Over the past few years, my symptoms have increased to such a point that I am struggling to live independently because of my limitations and needs. Simple things like driving, reading a book, or shoveling snow off of my steps can be difficult or even impossible at times. I have had to switch from working full-time to working part-time even though this means that I am often unable to cover necessary expenses.

As life has become increasingly unworkable for me, I decided to see if there might be any treatment options. I received a referral to a specialty called neuro-optometry. They specialize in treating functional vision problems caused by things like traumatic brain injury. This month, I received a very thorough evaluation which found that I am experiencing a recurrence of severe functional vision problems which are creating a massive burden for my body leading to the current symptoms arising in my every day life. I was so overjoyed to hear that there might be treatment options which could restore some or much of my capacity to do things like exercise, socialize, drive, study, and more.

Unfortunately, this treatment, called Multisensory Therapy, is not covered by my insurance and I do not have the ability to pay for it. It feels vulnerable to ask for help but it would mean the world to me if others were willing to support me in accessing care that could help me get my life back. The cost of the treatment is $4200 which includes pre- and post-evaluations. As I approach my 35th birthday this Christmas, I hope that you will consider supporting me by donating or sharing this fundraiser. The best birthday present would be to feel better.

Many, many thanks.

Special Note: Because this is public, I wanted to say that if you are a current or past psychotherapy client and you happen to come across this, please know that I am unable to accept donations from current or past clients due to ethical regulations.