Kia Phillips from Hereford is just 35-years old and was recently diagnosed with cervical radiculopathy, a condition that means the nerves in a person’s neck is being compressed by herniated discs.
Your Herefordshire has received the following message in support of Kia:
“Almost 9 months ago, Kia Phillips who is just 35, was diagnosed with cervical radiculopathy – (nerves in the neck being compressed by herniated discs).
“She was signed off work in February from a job in a school that she adores. The last 12 months have consisted of excruciating pain daily, and Kia is on such high doses of pain medications that most days are spent on the sofa, in pain or sleeping due to the brain fog from the medication.
“Kia also has periods of complete numbness in her lower torso and hands/arms, meaning opening her medication is virtually impossible.
“Kia’s partner now provides the only income, runs the house and takes care of their young daughter, and Kia relies on him or family members to get her to appointments etc, as she can no longer drive, but of course, he never complains.
“Even simple tasks like moving around the house require her to use a walking stick; cooking tea can lead to spending the next day in complete agony and leaving the house for longer journeys involves using a wheelchair.
“The couple is also planning their wedding in 2023, but it is now questionable as Kia isn’t sure if she will be well enough.
“This hardest bit of all is the time she is missing with her beautiful family, her fiancé Gary and 8-year-old daughter, Mollie, which can never be replaced. Kia’s whole life is literally on hold.
“Recently the latest blow came as Kia, who was training to be a teacher, was told she had to defer her degree, something she had worked very hard to achieve. Ultimately this, as well as everything else, has led to a decline in her mental health. She has also been diagnosed with severe anxiety and depression, which at one point meant she became borderline agoraphobic. She was too scared to leave the house and was too embarrassed for others to see her with her stick, so she didn’t see her friends. But there is a glimmer of hope, Kia can have an operation, which could happen on the NHS, but even though her case is listed as urgent, she is looking at an 18-month wait at least! And after 11 months of chronic pain already – this just isn’t an option for Kia. To go privately, it will cost around £14,000, and that’s where you come in.
“Everyone knows Kia to be always laughing, full of joy and the life and soul of the party. She is also the first person to help anyone in need. This horrible diagnosis has stripped her of her life, and we have been given a light at the end of the tunnel!
“Please help us raise this money for our friend and incredible mum/partner to get the operation done ASAP and give our beautiful friend her sparkle back.
“Thank you for taking the time to read her story,
“I am fully aware times are hard, and this is a lot of money; it took a while to convince Kia even to let us do this for her, so if you can spare any amount, it would be gratefully received. Thank you.”
Donation link – Fundraiser by Emily Leroy : Let’s help Kia get her sparkle back. (gofundme.com)
