In Support of Savannah Leigh Ivey (Johnson)

              Many people know that Savannah has faced several medical challenges over the past few years, but her condition has now worsened and developed much further.  Rosa, her service dog, has been an invaluable support—not only alerting Savannah to cardiac issues but also serving as her closest companion as she navigates more than any 18-year-old should have to endure.

              In May, Savannah was able to walk across the stage to receive awards and celebrate graduating from both high school and junior college. She earned several scholarships and planned to move to Mobile to attend the University of South Alabama. However, since late August, her health has deteriorated significantly. Her symptoms have intensified, leaving her with severe, persistent pain and extreme difficulty moving around. We are to the point where she uses crutches and at times a wheelchair to just function in daily activity. 
             Savannah has been diagnosed with severe tachycardia, Dysautonomia, POTS, hEDS, Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS),  Seronegative rheumatoid arthritis, a syrinx, non-convulsive epilepsy, autism, ADHD, cardiac arrhythmia, Anemia, Sacroiliitis, Degenerative disease of the SI joint, and extreme hypermobility. It seems as though her brain is not communicating properly with various organs. She is now having extreme digestive issues and gynecological issues that are believed to have come from the complexity of her situation. At this point, physicians have prescribed an electronic wheelchair for the hard days. Some days are worse than others, but at this point she needs a multidisciplinary team and extensive medical treatment leading us to Mayo. 

              What began as earlier health concerns has progressed into a complex and debilitating condition that is making it increasingly challenging for her to move, stand, or perform even basic daily activities. The pain she is enduring is not only intense but also constant, limiting her ability to rest comfortably and further restricting her physical function. This combination of mobility impairment and profound discomfort has placed her in a critical state that requires advanced medical intervention and specialized care.

              Given the severity of her condition, we have made the decision to take her to the Mayo Clinic in November, where she will receive comprehensive evaluation and treatment from some of the most experienced specialists in the field. This trip will be a major step in her care, as the Mayo Clinic is renowned for its multidisciplinary approach to complex medical cases, and we believe their expertise is essential to address both the underlying causes of her symptoms and the management of her pain. The journey will also be an opportunity for her to be monitored closely by a team of specialists who can coordinate her treatment more effectively than we have been able to locally.

              We are aware that this will be a long and demanding absence, as Savannah will be away for at least 38 days. This extended stay is necessary to allow for thorough diagnostic workups, possible surgical or procedural interventions, and extended recovery under the Mayo Clinic’s care. While this will be a challenging time for our family and for those close to her, we believe it is the best path forward to help her regain stability, reduce her pain, and improve her mobility. We will keep everyone updated as much as possible during her absence, and we are committed to ensuring she receives the highest quality of care until she returns home

              Given Savannah’s insurance only covers 80% of medical costs and not covering certain services, the out‑of‑pocket medical bill alone will be substantial. We have already received a statement for $18,800 for one set of services she will receive. Along with the extensive medical facility and physician payments we will also face pharmaceutical, relocating for almost 40 days, transportation cost, living expenses, and medical equipment. This $30,000 plus situation is nothing I could have ever planned for as her mother so I am truly reaching out for help. I am thankful I have Blue Cross Insurance but it does not come close to covering all the expenses. We will be spending Thanksgiving there for sure which will be a mental challenge for everyone. 

            If you’re able and feel led to support Savannah and our family during this difficult time, it would mean more to us than we can express. Savannah founded and runs a nonprofit, SL Moving Forward, which helps other children who need service animals. If you prefer, donations can be made to the nonprofit, and a tax receipt with the 501(c)(3) EIN can be provided. 
The associated venmo is @slmovingforward