On Sept. 11, 2006 my 8 year old son Andrew suffered the onset symptoms of a massive stroke. He was a normal, healthy child and at the hospital the doctors ran several tests and couldn't come up with a reason he was unresponsive. It took 2 days and FINALLY an MRI discovered a large blood clot in the artery that feeds the left side of his brain. At that point, there was nothing the doctors there could do for him there so they contacted a interventional neuro radiologist at the adult hospital across the street. (there are less than 300 of these such radiologists in the country and this one just happened to have come in on his day off to perform another procedure).
He agreed to try to help Andrew but could not make any guarantees since the procedure had never been performed on a child. The instruments were designed for the small arteries in an adult but Andrew's arteries were even smaller because he was 8 years old.
After 2 hours, the procedure was complete, Andrew survived but was in critical condition. The doctors didn't expect him to survive through the night but he held on. There were ups and downs over the next few weeks. There was so much damage to his brain (he lost 2/3 of the left side) the doctors expected him to be severely disabled. He was expected to be on a vent, possibly deaf and or blind, never walk, talk or understand speech for the remainder of his days. Basically, I would have a new born for the rest of his life.
He was in a medically induced coma for 2 weeks and was finally well enough to have the ventilator removed. The doctors slowly began allowing him to wake up. We didn't know what to expect when he woke up but were awesomely suprised to catch him watching TV once the medicine started to wear off! A day or so later I gave him the remote and he changed the channel!!!
After months of therapy, and 2.5 years of recovery he is doing great with the exception of a few things. The stroke left him with right side hemiparesis. (He walks with a wide gait and cannot use his right hand). He has good range of motion with the right arm and the fingers are movable, not drawn).
In November 2008, my husband and I both lost our job. My first concern was Andrew and my daughter's health care. Andrew NEEDS therapy.I applied for food stamps and TennCare so he could get the care he needs but we were declined because my husband and I both received the maximum UI benefit. ($300.00 per week) We made too much money for any help from the government I have paid taxes to for the past 25 years. (I've never had to apply for ANY help before) We had to buy a private, limited insurance policy so our coverage wouldn't lapse. Of course we were offered COBRA but it was $900.00 per month. With no income, a house payment and other needs that was totally out of the question. The policy we bought only covered doctor, hospital, medicine but no therapy (and not to mention was $300.00 per month).
We work with our son the best we know how at home but are not professionals with the equipment and expertese it takes to rehabilitate him.
My husband was finally able to go back to the company he previously worked for and now has insurance coverage once again for our family but it is extremely costly and he is our sole source of income. This policy will not cover rehabilitatin at all.
I am still trying everyday to find a job and I have 1 more UI payment. Thankfully, I am qualified for an extension but regardless, there is not enough money in our household for Andrew to receive the therapy he deserves.
We are just one family out of thousands but something has to be done. We need to be able to perform life saving treatments and testing for people of all ages without consulting an insurance company for approval. Had an MRI been done the night we took Andrew to the ER (onset of symptoms)the damage could have been reversed. The ER doctor said he knew whatever was going on was neurological but the CAT scan didn't show anything so he was only kept for observation in hopes he would come out of it in a few hours. I am left to wonder, if an MRI had been performed after the CAT scan came back normal, would I even be writing this letter because there would be no issues.
Please watch the story we did for the 700 Club. You can see Andrew and how far he has progressed. This way you can put a face with a story and you can see that he is a real little boy with a real life ahead of him.
Please google "Andrew Franklin - Small Chance"
Click on the video link to see our story and my son who needs your help.

Thank you,
Kristi Franklin
Knoxville, TN