Heal me, O יהוה, so that I am healed. Save me, so that I am saved, for You are my praise. Jeremiah 17:14

So… friends, our friend Kaleigh Abernathy is suffering from significant health issues. I'll share the short story first, then I’ll tell the longer version in an “Update” post.

Kaleigh has been suffering with Lyme Disease, co-infections and co- morbidities for most of her life, predominately homebound and bedridden for the past decade, because this is a heinous disease; a chronic infection causing symptoms and suffering that many specialists compare to cancer. Since Lyme and co-infections are governed by huge bureaucratic restrictions, and insurance companies are exempted from paying for anything other than acute treatment for this diagnosis; and because acute treatments are statistically actually and insufficient, sufferers must pay exorbitant fees out of pocket for ongoing testing and treatment, which most can achieve only if they have substantial community support.

Suffering for over 3 decade with this infirmity, this infection has also triggered or exacerbated many conditions, including severe Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (a.k.a. POTS), Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (a.k.a. MCAS), causing Kaleigh sensitivities or allergies to most foods, spices and herbs), Mold Allergy, Multiple Chemical Sensitivities (causing Kaleigh to be severely reactive to innumerable chemicals and almost anything with a distinct smell), Raynaud's Syndrome, major hormone imbalances, chronic fatigue, chronic pain, arthritis, muscular and skeletal issues (multiple practitioners have said that if she doesn't get multiple massages a week, which she hasn’t been able to afford, she'll end up needing surgery), as well as significant neurological, thyroid, sinus, and gastrointestinal issues.

Having so many different diagnoses can seem rather unbelievable, but these many conditions are often interrelated; and while any one of them can be extremely challenging, the combination of these multi-system infections and disorders/conditions can be devastating, and our cherished friend is suffering tremendously because of the havoc these combined issues are wreaking on her body.

If you have ever been touched by Kaleigh, through her immense faith, tremendous kindness, beautiful heart, extensive knowledge and wisdom, wonderful creativity or quirky sense of humor, or through the online children's Bible ministry she runs, all despite her own suffering, then I urge you to please, sincerely consider contributing to her care.

Being afflicted with this disease makes and individuals daily life challenging on the best of days, being a wife and a mother to a large family makes for even more challenges as one tries to endure the pain and debilitation that Lyme causes;  and Kaleigh has been so extremely ill, for so very long that every area of her life and the lives of her family members have been significantly impacted.

Kaleigh's husband, Michael carries the typical responsibilities of husband, father, protector, provider while shouldering the extra weight of caring for a chronically ill spouse and managing the family and household, attempting to ensure all needs are met while working diligently to help his wife return to health and wholeness. 

That weight has quite literally caused Michael physical pain in addition to the mental and emotional struggles of seeing your loved one suffer. His job is very physical, and it has contributed to major fatigue, caused a herniated disc, as well as musculoskeletal damage. Michael lives and works in pain daily, trying his hardest to make all provision for his family. But, despite his hard work for and devotion to his family, the expense of this disease, along with special dietary needs and all that is involved to try to help the family live healthier lives, makes it impossible for Michael to provide all that is needed by himself.

The family has already spent an enormous amount of money on Kaleigh's health throughout the years, over $250,000; and though she has experienced some improvements, she remains predominately bedridden, struggling daily with a plethora of symptoms.

Kaleigh and her family have tremendous needs, but the harsh reality is that those who fall beneath the poverty line, as well as most working and middle-class people, can rarely afford proper testing and efficacious Lyme treatment. In the present economic climate, medical care of any type can be extremely costly, but Lyme treatment takes immense resources in addition to what it costs for standard care.

But why? Because Lyme Disease itself is a debilitating and complicated disease that can create multi-system dysfunction. Sadly, treating Lyme Disease is very expensive for a single person, let alone a family. According to lymestats.org, patients spend on average $53,000 for out-of-pocket expenses for treatment, doctor visits, testing, and supplements per year. That expense is staggering for the average person, to say nothing of a single income family of 7.

The overwhelming majority of those who achieve remission (because there is no known cure for Lyme at present) and regain even a modicum of their health are not merely fortunate, but they tend to be rather wealthy. They already had existing funds and resources to afford the best doctors and to pay for the most effective treatment for the years it takes to get better; most folks simply do not have this amount of money at their disposal. For most, once you have found the treatment that is effective for you, it still takes at least 1-3 years of that treatment to see improvement.

As a community, we can help alleviate the burdens of a precious Sister and of a vital member of our ranks… a wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend, who gives of herself even out of her own lack and in the midst of her own suffering. We need to raise enough money for Kaleigh to obtain appropriate testing and to try several treatment options over a few years' span, until she can reach remission. The goal amount may seem high, but the sad truth is that the typical cost for treating Lyme amounts to many multiple tens of thousands of dollars on average, per individual per year. Your contribution can help to greatly improve, if not save, the life of our friend.

And while I know that so many of us are burdened in this present economy, and suffering in a system that was not built for us, I ask you to prayerfully consider contributing to assist Kaleigh and her family, knowing that no gift is too small; every single dollar counts and is so greatly appreciated. Your generosity will be felt beyond words.

If you cannot contribute personally, please share Kaleigh's story as far and wide as possible so that others may hear and be moved to help support our friend and in her time of significant need.

I want to say thank you in advance to any and all who find it in their hearts to donate to this fund; may your gift be returned to you many times over. May our heavenly Father bless you a thousand times over.

Deu 1:11 ‘יהוה Elohim of your fathers is going to add to you a thousand times more than you are, and bless you as He has spoken to you!

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For those interested in reading more of Kaleigh’s story, you can check the “Update” area for the more detailed story.

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Joel 2:25 “Then I shall repay you the years that the swarming locust has eaten… 26 “Then you shall eat – eat and be satisfied – and shall praise the Name of יהוה your Elohim, who has done with you so wondrously. And My people shall never be put to shame.

If you would like to hear from Kaleigh, here's an interview she did several years ago about her condition, where she shares more about Lyme. She got bit again, was reinfected, and got sicker after this interview was recorded.

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDQlzvq3dbjvjV93atvR_y0LB1ADuBKKT&si=EAcC3zA624_X15u4

*For more information about Lyme Disease, its seriousness, severity, and its financial toll, you may wish to watch:

Under Our Skin

The Monster Inside Of Me

The Quiet Epidemic

I'm Not Crazy, I'm Sick