Get Well Jordan!

We’ve all kept them in our thoughts and prayers and asked what we can do to help.  Now we have a chance to help the Berkhoudts as they continue to search for answers and treatments to return Jordan to the life of a normal 14-year-old boy.

Many of us have known the Berkhoudts for a long time.  Our boys have played hockey, volleyball and baseball with Jordan and been coached by Coach Dave.  Abby has always been Jordan’s number one fan while finding her own love of softball and basketball.  Shelli is always there to cheer the kids on and make sure that everyone is having fun no matter what the sport or activity.  They led the typical young family life of work, school and lots of running to activities.

Everything started to change this past summer.  After months of doctor visits, therapies and medications, Jordan was finally given a diagnosis of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS).  CRPS is a chronic pain condition believed to be caused by damage to, or malfunction of, the peripheral and central nervous systems.  The key symptom is prolonged pain that may be constant and in some cases extremely uncomfortable or severe.  Jordan has been in constant pain and hasn’t been able to attend school or play his beloved sports. 

Anyone who has talked to Dave and Shelli knows the last few months have been a whirlwind of appointments, research, medication and therapy.  Dave and Jordan spent 3 weeks at the Cleveland Clinic participating in their Chronic Pain Rehabilitation Program which treats CRPS and other causes of chronic pain.  Unfortunately, the program did not offer the relief that everyone hoped and prayed for so the appointments and research continued.  Later this month, Dave and Jordan will be traveling to NJ to try a new type of therapy called Calmare or scrambler therapy.  This therapy involves electrical stimulation through the skin and nerve fibers to carry a “no pain” signal to the brain.  There are many success stories of using Calmare to relieve the pain of CRPS so we all hope this is the answer they have been looking for.

Now, what can we all do to help?  The cost of this latest therapy may not be covered by insurance.  It’s a two-week program so the cost of the therapy as well as travel and living expenses will be significant.  Add this to all the other treatments, medications and co-pays and the financial impact to the family is significant.  Dave has put his business on hold to be home every day to care for Jordan while Shelli continues to work.  While we all offer as much emotional support as we can, we’d like to ask anyone who can to please help ease the financial strain that this is putting on the Berkhoudts.  We’d like to raise as much as possible to help with their expenses and appreciate any donation that you can offer.  Thank you for any help you can provide and please continue to keep the family in your thoughts and prayers.