Help Support Kelsie's Recovery From Spinal Surgery

Please watch this video from Kelsie's best friend Maya

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mylFSJUa2GE&feature=youtu.be

My daughter, Kelsie Sampson, is a hard-working, loving, intelligent, and selfless individual, but you would never know she is a prisoner in her own body.

Kelsie’s medical journey began in January 2022. At age 29, she abruptly began having chronic full-body nerve, muscle, and joint pain that was debilitating. In an instant, her life took a complete 180, stripping her of her independence. The pain was so unbearable she was unable to work and was laid off. Without income, she had no choice but to use her life savings to survive, which is now depleted. After 4 months, finally receiving Medi-cal, she was able to see a doctor. He put her on state disability for only one year. In excruciating pain, she now struggles daily to work part-time and collect recyclables to pay her rent and bills. Hoping for financial help, she applied for SSI/SSDI and after 7 months of waiting was denied. An attorney advised it would take 2-3 years for an appeal unless she becomes homeless.

Since July 2021, Kelsie has seen 14 doctors/specialists and has had more appointments and tests than we can count. With no urgency from doctors to find an actual diagnosis, her situation seemed hopeless. After 2 years of dead ends, she was sent to a Neurosurgeon who officially diagnosed her in April 2024 with several spine issues. Now, at age 31, she needs multiple surgeries, the first of which is major spinal fusion surgery to, hopefully, alleviate pain in her upper body. If successful, complete recovery can take 6-12 months. Unfortunately, after this recovery, Kelsie’s medical journey does not end there.

I could go on about Kelsie’s extensive medical story, but I want you to know who she really is. Kelsie has always been self-supporting. She is a focused, determined, and exceptionally athletic young woman with a strong work ethic. With determination and hard work, Kelsie received her BA in Psychology on a full Basketball Scholarship at Westmont College in Santa Barbara. During this time, she earned the 2013 NAIA All-American Women’s National Basketball Champion Award and led her team to victory to become the 2013 NAIA National Champions for the first time in the school’s history. Being disabled and living with pain has robbed her of achieving her life goals. Kelsie’s perseverance is what guides her to stay focused and become healthy again. She longs to live without pain, and be able to work full time, play basketball, play guitar, exercise, be active in her community, become self-sufficient, and live a normal life.

It’s her everyday normal things that she can’t do and people who don’t know her don’t realize this. Every moment of every day, she suffers from constant pain. Even getting dressed or showering is difficult.

As her Mom, I am asking for your support to allow Kelsie the opportunity of financial security through this difficult time in her life. No amount is too small. With your generous donations, this fundraiser will significantly help to pay for her living expenses and purchase health insurance that will give her quality medical care and get her back on her feet. Most importantly, it will allow her the peace of mind to focus 100% on her recovery and health rather than worry where her next dollar will come from. Whether you can donate or not, please share Kelsie’s story with all your friends and family so it will reach even more supporters.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for supporting my daughter.