Terri Wade's ALS Medical Bills
Donation protected
In October of 2018, Terri had a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA): a version of a stroke without a brain bleed. She was off work while recovering from the TIA, fortunately having short term disability available to her. At the age of 55, Terri had many questions as to why she had a TIA….Why was she walking and talking differently? Why couldn’t she do simple things like reach for a plate above her head? In January 2019, a neurologist told Terri that nothing was wrong with her physically and it was all in her head. He had her return to work and told her to proceed as normal. Nothing was wrong !!
In late February 2019, Terri fell down her stairs while at home. She knew in her gut that there was something else wrong. Since she was being told by the neurologist that nothing was wrong with her physically, she thought she hadn’t eaten enough or something simple.
During this time, Terri was adamantly job seeking to find a position that reduced her stress level and was soon offered a job with Bank of America (BOA); things seemed to be falling into place. One week after being with BOA, Terri fell flat on her face walking into work. On May 7, 2019, Terri tripped on un-level carpet and fell again at work. This fall required a hospital visit and medical leave, but since Terri had less than a year with BOA, she was denied short term disability...only receiving unpaid medical leave.
On Monday, May 13, 2019, the many medical tests and doctors’ visits revealed that Terri had Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS): to many people known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. ALS is a disease that affects the nerve cells that make muscles work in both the upper and lower parts of the body. This disease makes the nerve cells stop working and die. The nerves lose the ability to trigger specific muscles, which causes the muscles to become weak and leads to paralysis.
No one knows for sure what causes ALS and currently there is no cure. ALS is age related; most people with ALS find out they have it when they are between 55 and 75 years of age. Most people live from 3 to 5 years after symptoms develop; people who are younger when the illness starts live slightly longer.
ALS is a very fast progressing illness and the medical bills are abundant. It is doubtful that Terri will be able to return to work. In addition to your prayers for Terri and her family, please support my GoFundMe. Proceeds are for Terri’s medical expenses which are quickly growing. Donations of any size are welcome and greatly appreciated. Also, please share this information with others so that they too may consider supporting.
In late February 2019, Terri fell down her stairs while at home. She knew in her gut that there was something else wrong. Since she was being told by the neurologist that nothing was wrong with her physically, she thought she hadn’t eaten enough or something simple.
During this time, Terri was adamantly job seeking to find a position that reduced her stress level and was soon offered a job with Bank of America (BOA); things seemed to be falling into place. One week after being with BOA, Terri fell flat on her face walking into work. On May 7, 2019, Terri tripped on un-level carpet and fell again at work. This fall required a hospital visit and medical leave, but since Terri had less than a year with BOA, she was denied short term disability...only receiving unpaid medical leave.
On Monday, May 13, 2019, the many medical tests and doctors’ visits revealed that Terri had Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS): to many people known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. ALS is a disease that affects the nerve cells that make muscles work in both the upper and lower parts of the body. This disease makes the nerve cells stop working and die. The nerves lose the ability to trigger specific muscles, which causes the muscles to become weak and leads to paralysis.
No one knows for sure what causes ALS and currently there is no cure. ALS is age related; most people with ALS find out they have it when they are between 55 and 75 years of age. Most people live from 3 to 5 years after symptoms develop; people who are younger when the illness starts live slightly longer.
ALS is a very fast progressing illness and the medical bills are abundant. It is doubtful that Terri will be able to return to work. In addition to your prayers for Terri and her family, please support my GoFundMe. Proceeds are for Terri’s medical expenses which are quickly growing. Donations of any size are welcome and greatly appreciated. Also, please share this information with others so that they too may consider supporting.
Organizer and beneficiary
Liz Thomas-Hollier
Organizer
Charlotte, NC
Terri Wade
Beneficiary