Help Sami Overcome FND and Reclaim Her Life

Hello, I am Amanda and Sami is my daughter. Sami is a very amazing, kind, independent, motivated, encouraging, dedicated loving soul. Unfortunately, she has been diagnosed with FND after having 3 concussions in a span of 18 months.

FND is a condition where her brain and the nerve system are not communicating properly. Her brain is telling the nerves that she is in constant pain and telling her body don't do this physical activity because it causes more pain. This is explained to us as a hardware issue and not a software issue.

This all began summer of 2021 following her 1st concussion, followed by her 2nd in 2022 due to sport injury, and 3rd in 2022. After her 3rd concussion the pain and symptom's went from weekly to daily. We still didn't know what was wrong with her. Frustration and Exhaustion do not even come close to the way we felt.

Fast forward to October 2024 after MANY appointments, tests and specialists we were told by Children’s specialists "we cannot do anything else for her" we were not taking this for an answer.

Thankfully, We were told about a program at Cincinnati Children's Hospital that specializes in teaching kids how to manage and work through their Chronic Pain. This program is called the FIRST Program.

We then started on our journey to get our appt. Jan 13th, 2025 was the day! After a very intense all day long visit, meeting 8 providers it was finally time to hear if this program would work for Sami's situation and if she was accepted. Our prayers were answered. She was accepted! However, this program is inpatient in Cincinnati. We live North of Seattle. The program is expected to be 4 weeks. But there is a chance it could be extended based off of the growth and progress Sami makes.

Part of the program is having a parent present for weekly check-ins. This will require flying to Cincinnati round trip multiple times. Lost wages, hotels, uber's, all the little things that add up and most of all the Medical bills.

Even with the uncertainty of how we are going to get through this all; we are moving forward so Sami can have her life back.

So let's go back to some background of this inspiring young lady. After missing 78 days of school during the 2022-2023 year we decided to switch to online schooling. My social butterfly hated not being able to participate in the school band, sports and clubs anymore due to extent of her pain. She was able to help create an ASB program with her online school and lead assembly's virtually. She also helped plan a in person school prom which they never had before. This school year she has taken on the exciting role as Class President, Co-President of National honor Society and will be planning her Sr. Prom again this year.

Not only is Sami very involved with her school and education, she is extremely active with her youth organization Job's Daughters "Jobies" She has been an active leader for this group for the past 4 years. Jobies is not just a youth group to her, it is her second home, her extended family, her place to be herself.

Besides Jobies being her passion; Salt water fishing, camping, dancing and her loving dog Cooper complete her.

The FND has caused her to either cut back or stop being able to do these things all together. No 17 year old should not be able to enjoy life. This is why we are doing The FIRST program. This is why I am asking for any help you can give. Thank you and God Bless you!