Lynn Van Norman is a LMT (Licensed Massage Therapist) who has spent her entire life treating others with pain. 

Over the course of 45 years Lynn Van Norman has used her skills to help others, but now she needs our help.

Lynn has had multiple surgeries in the past 4 years. Which has cost her almost everything.

Lynn initially injured her foot back in 2004.  Several years later, after discovering the severity of the injury, she needed surgery to attempt to correct the bones that were crushed in the initial injury.  She then had low back surgery. Then had a knee replacement surgery last year, she was tripped by her dog and unfortunately fractured her foot.  Subsequently she has had three ankle replacement surgeries in the past 6 months.

As an independent business owner, the injury and subsequent surgeries has cost her an immense amount of money due to the inability to work, medical bills, treatment, recovery and living expenses. 

Lynn has to sell her office building, her home, and go through her savings in order to get where she is now.

Lynn is in the final stage of recovery. After paying the large deductible, her most recent surgery was covered by health insurance.  However, she only was able to get 2 weeks in rehab and according to her doctor has to go THREE MONTHS WITHOUT WORKING before they can remove her cast. In the meantime, she cannot weight bear on her foot.  Sadly neither disability, her health insurance, nor her social security will cover the expenses of living.

I am approaching you, her friends, and anyone who has dealt with pain in the hopes that maybe we can help raise enough to help her get through this difficult time - so she can continue to do what she loves: work and help others.

This fund will cover:

• Rent: First Priority 
• Groceries: Second Priority 
• Health Insurance/Car Payment: Third Priority
• Lease on Office Space: Fourth Priority

For $4k - Lynn can have a roof over her head for another 3 months while she recovers in her cast.

For $8k all her bills and personal expenses will be covered as well.

About Lynn Van Norman:

 Lynn in '74Lynn Today

Lynn, is a specialist in re-corrective deep tissue work, lymphatic, and myofascial release techniques. Lynn was also an active board member of the Pain Society of Oregon, who educated individuals and professionals on how to manage their pain. It's been estimated she's worked on as many as 10,000 people in her lifetime.

The Original Injury

At first when the injury occurred, we thought it was simply bruised. She was traveling out of state to teach and had to work. When she returned several weeks later the foot grew more and more painful, and eventually it was discovered that hairline fractures were forming all over her entire foot and it needed to be bolted in several places to ensure that she could continue to walk. The surgery was a success.

The Injury Returns

Almost 9 years later, her foot injury has re-emerged as a result from a fall caused by a big dog overpowering her and knocking her down. It sustained MAJOR fractures across several of the smaller bone structures and rendered completely useless if left unabated.

The First Pass

Doctors first had to go in and use large metal plates to bind the bones together to make sure the foot is stable enough to support her weight and make it so she is NOT wheelchair bound. She had health insurance, but due to the pain she was unable to work anywhere close to the amount of appointments she use to do. 

The Second Pass

Several Weeks later, the doctor removed the cast from her foot and she began to get her life back. She went back to work and moved into a new home and 

office.  

However, the surgery did not hold up.  The ligaments were torn and did not hold the plates in place.  Her doctor recommended a second ankle replacement with more pins and a long rod. The Surgery was a success and she recovered and again went back to work, started in a new office and even came down to visit her new Grandson.

The Third Pass

Unfortunately, the foot started to slip out of its bindings and it almost fell completely off the joint before Lynn could get back to the surgeon.   Her surgeon informed her she needed to go IMMEDIATELY back into surgery for more extensive surgery or she would require amputation. We found out later that the cast was taken off TOO EARLY and it wasn't able to fully heal.

Lynn has now just finished her final Surgery, but the financial strain has been too much. Please help us get her back on her feet and begin her life again (hopefully closer to her grandson so she can be a part of his life!)

Thank you for your time and consideration. 

Q&A

Does lynn have disability? What about Social Security?

Lynn does have disability, but sadly it's only a short term solution and won't fix the problem of her foot. It's barely enough to pay rent. She also does not get social security for another 2 yearsshe is 63 and her previous medical bills (including a knee replacement surgery, steroid injections for her arthritis, and other expenses) have already led to her selling her home of over 27 years to pay off the mortgage and cover the basics like her office and her rent for several months.

Does Lynn have a financial support network? What about her son?

Lynn has many wonderful friends, who have gone above and beyond the call of duty to help, but does not yet have a life partner to help support her financially while she heals, she is on her own. Her son currently lives in California and has offered to take care of her, but her doctor won't let her travel until all 3 months have passed and she has fully healed. 

I can't support financially, is there anything else I can do to help?

Of course! We do not want to force anyone to contribute, but if you feel this cause is worth aiding we'd really appreciate it if you could help us spread the word. If every person Lynn has worked on over the years gave $0.50 we'd have more then enough to help her get through this final surgery and give her the time she needs to heal.