Help us pay for Toris major surgeries

Hi my name is Brodie and I am seeking help for my sister Tori. Tori is 23 years old and requires 24 hour care that our mother provides. Tori is living with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), a progressive condition affecting connective tissue in the body. EDS causes her to easily dislocate her joints, which is very painful for her. The most serious issue from this is that it causes the spine in her neck to move, cutting off the arteries blood supply. This causes, on average, 3 convulsive seizures a day. This leads to other complications, most recently, a broken left ankle in 2 places.

Tori also suffers from complex regional pain syndrome of the jaw. She is in constant, extensive pain for which there is no known cure.

I am asking for help on Tori’s behalf because she is too kind-hearted to ask. Tori must have surgery to fuse her neck, costing from $21,000 if there are no complications. The surgery is required to help stop her seizures.

Because Tori’s medical condition is quite unique, she is required to travel to Sydney for her surgeries. Tori is at high risk of blood clots and will need to be driven from Melbourne to Sydney.

Tori requires one surgery to remove the nerve stimulator in her jaw and face, prior to having an MRI in order to perform the neck fusion.

Tori has arthritis in both hips caused by her EDS and will require a left hip replacement, the right side has already been done. The cost of her last hip replacement was $25,000 (inclusive of accomodation and travel), which we expect will be the same for the left.

Tori is frequently in and out of hospital due to pain and respiratory distress, and has stopped breathing previously. Tori has had many surgeries. In 2018 alone she had 10 procedures.

Tori is often wheelchair bound and can briefly take a few steps on her better days

I am asking for help as my family is struggling to pay the extensive medical bills. Unfortunately, private health will not cover these upcoming surgeries. Our mother is Tori’s full time carer and is unable to work.

We are hoping to raise around $50,000 as this would cover both the neck fusion and hip replacement. Donations of any amount would be greatly appreciated. It would mean a lot to our family. The surgeries aim to improve her quality of life, hopefully she could possibly start doing things she enjoys. Thank you for reading and getting to know Tori’s story, we are beyond greatful for your time.