When I got word my 28 year old brother Matt was going to the ER because he had pnemonia, my first thought was “Don't you mean Grandma?” followed by “He's young and it's pnemonia. They'll pump him full of fluids and he will be back to normal soon enough." Then I got the update that the pnemonia had spread to both lungs, he had sepsis, and his fever had spiked to dangerous levels. I was shocked someone his age was dealing with a life threatening medical crisis and apparently all of his doctors were too.
That was over a month ago, and the good news is Matt is back home and feeling better; but he is still not 100%. What we expected to be a quick trip to the ER turned into 3 day and 2 night hospital stay. Oregon is one of the most expensive states for healthcare and the situation has put an extreme finacial burden on him.
Matt was unable to work the week leading up to his hospital stay and took a full two weeks off on doctor's orders after the stay. Both sepsis & pnemonia can cause long term fatigue and Matt has unfortunately experienced it. He has been slowly getting back to a full case load (he works as a mental health professional) but after a month is still only able to work partial days. He has not been paid his usual salary in over a month. Adding to the finacial stress, he had recently joined a practice which only provides health insurance benefits for employees seeing 100+ clients for 3 or more months, meaning he was unisnsured during this time and is responsible for the full medical bill.
Matt is doing everything he can to get the bill reduced and find additional sources of income despite still dealing with extreme fatigue. He has spent time researching his options for non-profit help and on the phone with the hospital seeking the necessary documentation for relief. But right now his medical expenses total $20,000 and he has had little income to cover monthly bills. That is why we have set up this Give a Hand campaign.
We set a lofty goal of $12,000 and want to achieve it through a grass roots effort. Donations of $20, 50 or $100 will go a long way but so does just sharing this with anyone else that may be willing to donate. So please donate what you can, but also share this on your social media platforms or with friends and family via text and email. The more people that see this, the larger impact we can have in helping Matt.
Any funds donated will be given directly to Matt and he will use them only to pay his debts. I will update the campaign on a weekly basis with any progress he has made in reducing the medical bill and adjust the goal accordingly.
Thank you for taking the time to read his story and for all of you who will donate and share.
Please donate to comment.
Christy Downing | $50
1w agoSuch a scarey time!!!! I hope he is recovering and back on his feet again! I’m sure this created a hardship on so many levels for both of you!!!! Hope this little bit helps!!!
Anonymous Donor | $457
2w agoHad a dream, prayed about it, and it led me here. Praying for continued healing and health.
Anonymous Donor | $200
2mos agoLove you dude!
Byungwhoon Kang | $100
2mos agoPrayers for you and the family brother!
Matt Jones | $100
2mos agoPraying for your family.
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