In the small town of Sanford, North Carolina, a community is watching one of their own, closely.
The fact is, without a kidney transplant, 31-year old Ashley Quiñones will die. Dialysis, which is a viable long-term option for many, isn't an option for her. Though her donor has been cleared and ready to go for the past two years, Medicaid -- Ashley's only insurer -- will not fund the surgery, estimated at $250,000.
Ashley has appealed once and been rejected, though another appeal is on the horizon. But the longer she is required to wait, the darker the outlook.
I was already accustomed to writing daily; I began to write more frequently on health care-related topics.
As a result, Ashley's story came to my attention, and over recent weeks, a growing number of women have been writing about her life. In attempting to put a face on the health care crisis and make it more personal -- because it is personal -- some of these women are crafting Five Year Plans, musing on their futures so that we, in contrast, will imagine not having one.
As of mid-November, the Quiñones family had accumulated just over $16,000 toward Ashley's transplant. In the past ten days, burgeoning grassroots efforts combining blogging, Facebook, Twitter, and email have raised another $8,000. It's worth noting that fundraising for Ashley is coordinated through the Children's Organ Transplant Association (COTA), a 501(c)(3) charity dedicated to assisting transplant-needy patients.
In Ashley's case, as encouraging as the latest efforts have been, it isn't enough. Or rather, it isn't fast enough, with more than $200,000 still to go and time closing in.
To be clear, Ashley underwent a life-saving double lung transplant in 2001. But the medications she takes to keep her lungs healthy place a tremendous strain on her system -- specifically, her kidneys. Her lungs are showing wear (and a condition known as Bronchial Obliterans Syndrome (BOS)) which is why Medicaid is denying surgical coverage despite her doctors' conviction that she will do well if she gets a kidney soon. In fact, they anticipate another ten years of quality life -- at least. And everything's in place for the procedure -- except the money.
Despite dealing with a lifetime of medical interventions, Ashley works two jobs: one teaching English to non-native speakers at the local community college and another as a developmental aid to a child classified as "severe profound." Known for her sense of humor and adventure, Ashley dreams of using her theater education to help disabled children through drama therapy.
She has no Five Year Plan, yet she does have a vision for her future.
Here is one way: As you're giving thanks and holiday shopping, consider the Butterfly Effect -- how a small token can change a life -- or save a life.
Image of Ashley Quiñones courtesy of Quiñones-Miller family and COTA.org.
Follow D. A. Wolf on Twitter: www.twitter.com/BigLittleWolf
http://themillermix.blogspot.com/2011/12/joy-rising.html
There remains money to be raised, and for those who wish to donate, I encourage you to do so here: http://cota.donorpages.com/PatientOnlineDonation/COTAforAshleyQ/. What better holiday gift for your loved ones? And Ashley needs her kidney for Christmas.
As her sister says so eloquently in the post I reference above, "There are so many others struggling under the weight of our broken health care system."
Let's do what we can for each other. Let's do *everything* we can for each other.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzU3H7E0DO8&feature=channel_video_title
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QeXvtz0_Ex0&feature=channel_video_title
‎1997 Good Will Hunting - The Butterfly Effect
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8rQNdBmPek
We do indeed have enormous power as a community. The more of us who lend a hand, the stronger we all become.
I hope you share this story, and encourage others to give in the ways that they can - to those who need help. I know that there have been many who helped me when I was struggling. I will never forget their kindness.
Attitude is so critical, but as Barbara Grufferman reminds us in her words, over and over again - we need to take action.
All best for a wonderful holiday.
I've also never heard of a reason why dialysis would be impossible for someone who's never done it. Sometimes people run out of veins that can be used--but after doing dialysis for years.
Also, Medicare would be an option for someone who doesn't require up to $6,000/month in prescription drug costs (such as post-lung-transplant patient). Going on Medicare helps with the surgery, but would leave someone responsible for all costs after the threshold. It's commonly called "the donut hole."
I will share . . .
Barbara
Have a wonderful holiday!
How about health care and education as basic human rights? AND - good for our country, by ensuring that its citizenry is healthy and contributing?
Thank you for reading and commenting - and please share this story.
All best for a wonderful holiday!
Happy Holidays to you as well !
I posted this to my twitter page yesterday, no hesitation. It's an important story. Because that young woman could be me, could be you, could be our sister, best friend, mother, wife, daughter, neighbor, cousin,- you name it. It's not as far away as we like to think. You took the words out of my mouth when you said "How about health care and education as basic human rights?"... To insure "Life, Liberty and Pursuit of Happiness" you have to provide, Health, knowledge and opportunities. Now, I agree with more conservatives when they shout we have to make our own opportunities. That is true. And in times like these when times are rough that's the perfect time to get creative BUT when all the path ways have been blocked, and all the materials used to pave those path ways have been exhausted and when all those path ways that are clogged have indulgently over used all the available materials, THAT is when the I feel we as a collective have to step in and take back. To apply this to health care, and what you mentioned about per capita cost, we don't need insurance companies at all- take them OUT of the equation because the middle man ALWAYS makes things more expensive. And, were the costs of higher education lowered then doctors would not graduate medical school with a debt upwards of $120,000.
There are no easy fixes to any of this. But we do have other models to look to for ideas, elsewhere in the world. And in the meantime, as you say, during times of hardship we have the opportunity to strengthen our communities.
By the way, I quoted you in my post today, at my site. So thank you for your good words AND actions, and for participating in this challenging conversation.
Thank you both for reading and commenting.