Incredible News!

We have been working hard to get TEFRA for Henry - the supplemental insurance through the state of Oklahoma, that would immensley help our family financially.  The TEFRA program began here in Oklahoma when Ellie Kate was a little girl.  Up until then, we only had our private insurance to help us pay our medical bills.  I remember getting one of our very first hospital bills, when Ellie was only about six-weeks old.  That particular bill was $75,000, and that was AFTER our insurance had stepped in.  God is so good, ya'll.  He took care of that $75,000 bill!  He's taken care of many of our bills, and even though we continue to pay on those, He continually provides at just the right time.  


After the CVS test results, when we had the confirmation that Lucy indeed had NKH, I immediately started getting things together so we could apply for TEFRA as soon as she was born.  Technically, you cannot apply until you are one month of age, but since it's a very detailed process, I was able to start working ahead of time.  Lucy was accepted and has received TEFRA since she was around one month old.  That is an amazing thing!  We have had this help with her from almost the beginning and it has save her and us in so many ways.


Here's how it works:  Lucy gets a medical bill/sees a doctor/has a procedure/stays in the hospital/gets a prescription and our private insurance does their thing.  THEN, the state insurance steps in and takes care of much of the rest!  Now, not all is covered completely, as Lucy is on many meds that aren't FDA approved or aren't FDA approved for the purposes the NKH doctors are using them for.  There are also limitations on things such as equipment, certain treatments, therapies, etc.  HOWEVER, even if a little is covered, it is a saving grace for us as a family.  TEFRA has kept us from going bankrupt, to be quite honest.  Another amazing and interesting thing about this program is that it isn't financially based.  This insurance provided through the state, is given to the child because of the severity of their disability.


Today we received word that Henry has qualified for TEFRA!!  His current disabilities have made him eligible according to TEFRA and it's extensive process, and as crazy as it sounds, we are exceedingly grateful.  I knew it would be more difficult with Henry because his disabilities are much different than those of the girls.  However, I also knew the Lord wanted me to fight and work and pray and push and email and call and mail and call and email and call . . . . I knew He wanted me to be a momma-bear about this and humbly try to get Henry into this program.  I knew how many medical bills we already are trying to pay off for Henry (all have occured since Ellie's Heaven Day).  Without a doubt, I knew God wanted us to at least try to seek help this way because we know as his parents, that Henry does qualify for assistance.


We don't deserve TEFRA.  We don't deserve anything, really.  We are just regular human beings who sin and mess up just like anyone else.  Even though we've been given these journeys of illness and have been called to the special-needs life, as well as to the life of a bereaved parent, we are not super-heroes.  God hasn't called us to these things because He knew we could handle it.  He knew we couldn't and that we would need to rely on HIM for our every need (EVERY need).  I am grateful for this, Dear Friends.  A constant need to rely on the Lord.


I never thought that my family would receive help from the government, but we do and it's important to Mike and I that others know that.  We want people to know that there are "normal" families like ours who need the extra help from the state.  There are families who work extremely hard and go above and beyond to provide sufficient healthcare needs, but sometimes those needs are enormous and sometimes you just can't do it on your own.  Sometimes, even though you are doing everything you are supposed to be doing, even though you may have a really good job with a great salary, you may still have a hard time paying for all of the things that come along with the special-needs life, and that's okay.  We want everyone to be more open-hearted when it comes to those who need and receive help outside of themselves.  In the Bible, the early Christians clearly had this in mind as they shared all that they had.  As Believers, we are specifically called to help those who are sick and poor (in body and spirit).  This goes beyond the Church's doors because the needs are so great.  When you pay your taxes and give towards these government programs, you are truly giving to families like ours - you are giving like Jesus called you to.

I want other families to know that the struggle is real and it is okay to need help.  It's okay to get help from the state.  That's how God has provided for us, without a doubt!  He has provided for many of our friends and for their children that way as well.  Because of programs like TEFRA, Ellie Kate lived a full, happy and long seven years and Lucy is alive and thriving.  We could not provide even a portion of what they've needed without the help of the Father, the help of friends, family and strangers, and without the help of the government - both state and Federal.   Being in this situation has taught us humility on so many occasions, and it's a quality we feel the Lord is continually growing in our lives as a family.  It is a GOOD thing to continuously be taught humility; to continuously be taught that you are not in control and that you cannot do it all.


It's beautiful to watch Our Father at work, taking care of us and providing for all that we need and giving us many things that we want.  TEFRA is both of those things.  It is something that we need to help Henry receive the treatment, medication and therapies that come along with PANDAS and with epilepsy.  It is also something that we've wanted because we know how much it has helped us with Ellie Kate and with Lucy, and I can't imagine trying to live our lives paying for part of Lucy's needs (meds and equipment that aren't covered at all by insurance), paying down Ellie Kate's medical bills (we are almost there!), paying my IC medical bills, and now paying for Henry and all that has and is going into his care.

PS:  We were able to have Rosie (the handicap-accessible van) fixed!  That is a huge answer to prayer.  She is coming up on 100k miles, so we are praying about trading her in or really just want the Lord wants us to do in order to keep us all safe while driving.  Thank you for praying alongside of us!

Oh, Father!  I am so grateful and humbled by this blessing.  I know it's been given to us, not because of something we have or haven't done, but because you've promised to always care and provide for us, all while getting the glory.  We praise you for your faithfulness and we declare today that you ARE Jehovah Jireh, Our Provider!  

Ryan