Medical Fundraiser for Navy Veteran that does not qualify for VA medical benefits. Needing assistance with medical bills after four (4) hospital stays and three (3) surgeries. Still unable to walk, in a wheelchair, with limited ability to work, is not eligible for Social Security, has been denied Disability, and cannot wait out the appeals process to pay these medical bills. Has been suffering from Diabetic Amyotrophy, which causes excruciating pain since February. Medical expenses continue to grow. Collection accounts and processes have begun. Need to avoid judgments, repossessions, and becoming homeless.
Catherine Renfroe, (daughter) setup and wrote the following for the linked GoFundMe Campaign:
“My father has a very rare diabetic disease that only affects 1% of diabetics with neuropathy, a complication of diabetes called Diabetic Amyotrophy. My father has been suffering from diabetes since 1984 and has held true to his regimen of medications and constraints on his diet and exercise in order to remain in control of his diabetes. Less than a year ago, he started experiencing complications with his legs and motor control.
On Valentines Day, 2018, he began experiencing excruciating pains in his legs. He was rushed to Emergency, but no doctor could diagnose the problem. Within two weeks he could no longer walk and was forced to be in a wheelchair, requiring constant care, and to this day remains in constant, excruciating pain.
He lost 53 pounds in 40 days, unable to eat due to pain. This is a classic symptom of Diabetic Amyotrophy but this was not considered and he was misdiagnosed. He had an open back laminectomy of the entire lumbar region of his spine, but the pain remained. Eventually, my father was referred to a specialist after the surgery had no effect. This specialist was finally able to diagnose him with Diabetic Amyotrophy. My father is currently going through physical therapy to try to regain strength in his legs because the disease is causing rapid atrophy of his leg muscles.
The most recent surgical procedures that he has had included the implantation of a spinal chord simulator for pain management, as he continues to refuse to be reliant on opiates to relieve his pain. Our hope is to be able to lessen the financial burden of all of these procedures that this disease has required my father to undertake. My parents are on the threshold of possibly losing their home to pay for all of the medical expenses.
Any donation will help. My father has worked as an executive in the insurance industry for the last 14 years. We would appreciate support from Veterans groups, Insurance companies, the adjusting community, and anyone who feels lead to donate.”
https://www.gofundme.com/medical-fundraiser-for-tom-driggers-sr
