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TMS & Hope for battle against severe depression

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Hello, Friends!
UPDATE: Since we've met the goal for the TMS treatment, any other funds donated will go towards his needed weekly counseling appointments and living expenses until he is well enough to get back to work.
THANK YOU!!
After coping with a debilitating mental illness for over 17 years, my son has a chance to break free from its grasp with the treatment of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) An FDA-approved non-invasive treatment for severe depression.
Our out of pocket cost for the treatment is $4100. We have $1,900 to go towards it and are seeking to raise funds to cover the remaining balance of $2,200.
More about my son in the FAQ's.

FAQ
1. What led you to finding out about TMS?

Exhausted from years of chronic illness and depression, my son felt he could no longer go on. In a desperate cry for help, he came to us and confided of his plans on how to end his life and his battle to keep from following through on these plans. Being in crisis mode, we reached out to a psychologist and psychiatrist. It was through meeting with them that we discovered TMS as a treatment for my son’s severe depression.

2. What made you decide to pursue the recommended TMS treatment even with the high cost?

I saw hope in my son’s eyes and sense of relief that he could actually feel better. That there is even a possibility after all these years, he could feel like himself and pursue his dreams and goals with a fighting chance, not needing to constantly tread through the sludge and darkness chronic severe depression is to a person suffering from it will be worth every penny.
As the psychologist explained the procedure, commitment of a daily office visit for 6 consecutive weeks, and the success rate of treatment, I felt it was an answer to prayers and then prayed to God to help us find a way to do this for him.

3. Why don’t you save up and pay for the entire amount yourself ?

We would gladly pay the entire amount and could with another year of savings, however commitment of payment is required to be paid in full within 6 weeks of starting to begin treatments. The thought of my son needing to wait that long and suffering another full year in crisis mode is enough for us to swallow our pride and ask for help.
We’ve exhausted our funds and resources as well to help with his other expenses due to being unable to work. Waiting another full year would spiral into an added financial hardship.

4. How long will it take for the TMS treatments to work?

He can begin to feel a difference in as soon as 2-3 weeks with significant improvement and immense recovery by the end of the 6 weeks.

5. How often will he need to do the TMS treatments to stay well?

There is a small percentage of patients that need another round of 6 week treatments after two to three years, however, that is not assumed to be the need.

6. What if you raise more than the $2,200?

Any funds raised over the $2,200 would go towards his current weekly counselor co-pays and then living expenses until he is well enough and can begin working again.

7. Why haven't you mentioned your son's illness before or shared his name?

To respect his privacy and understanding the very personal nature of coping with any chronic illness and stigma it can bring and/or dismissal of severity on one's life because one hides the pain so well.


8. Has your son tried medications?

Yes, yes, and yes. Over a dozen or so different meds/ combinations over the past 15 years. He is what they define as "treatment resistant", which is also one of the criteria for TMS.


Please feel free to reach out to me with any other questions not answered here.
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Donations 

  • Bret England
    • $300
    • 10 mos
  • Anonymous
    • $15
    • 10 mos
  • Anonymous
    • $20
    • 10 mos
  • Andrew Wooten
    • $50
    • 10 mos
  • Kelly Poppleton
    • $50
    • 10 mos
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Organizer and beneficiary

Jill Kammerman Gifford
Organizer
Springville, UT
Gavin Gifford
Beneficiary

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