Jaden’s Story

Site created on September 17, 2018


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                                                    For those interested in the entire back story and ongoing updates through the current events, this is the place to find it!


Jaden has a lot going on medically with a whole litany of diagnoses that should qualify one for a medical degree just through experience, but the most difficult to manage is his orthopedic condition and it's tangents. People often hear his story and comment on how strong I am, but they're wrong. He's the strong one. He's the one that too often must face things that truly terrify him, yet remains such a jovial and smiling boy. How his personality continues to shine so brightly despite having these intensely distressing life experiences, I will never know. So THAT makes him the strong one and it's the very least I can do to be there beside him while he endures.

Newest Update

Jaden needs your help

Journal entry by Melanie Patton —

Jaden is scheduled for surgery in early November and this time we need help. This will be his 11th time under anesthesia (I think), 6th surgery involving cutting, and third major orthopedic surgery. Never before have we required financial help in getting Jaden the care he needs, but this time it’s quite different. Though I couldn’t go back to work to a full-time career after Jaden was born, we’ve been mindful of our finances and financial planning and have always been able to make due and provide; however, in April a machine at work malfunctioned, crashed into a concrete pole, and ejected Jared. Five months later, he’s doing only marginally better with no idea when he might return to work. He’s been the predominant source of our household income since Jaden’s birth, but this was a giant financial blow. The maximum worker’s compensation allowance here in Georgia is not always 66% of pay that most consider standard, nor has any of the accidental injury and short/long term disability supplemental insurances we thought would be helpful provide any relief. Turns out, none pay out in the case of a work-related injury. So, with the meager worker’s compensation benefits and what I can do with my part-time job, we’re barely covering living expenses and have depleted our savings. To add insult to injury, beginning in October we can no longer pay just the group rate for the insurance and must go on COBRA. Considering we’ve met the out of pocket maximum for the year, we will be forced to pay for COBRA so that Jaden’s surgery and recovery is covered.

 This surgery will be very intense and needed to correct the knee and ankle positioning which will allow him to stand and walk without discomfort and hopefully without such bulky leg braces and walker. At 8 years old, he has never been able to walk without the braces and walker and only obtained the opportunity when he was 5. His fragility and the fact that he’s much smaller than his peers make it difficult for him to fully interact with them. He’s not allowed to play on the playground at recess. He’s never ran or jumped. He tries to the best he can, yet he dreams of break dancing and flipping like a gymnast.

Jaden’s surgeon has said to prepare to stay in Baltimore for 2 weeks. An estimation of funds needed are as follows:

Airfare round RT-  +/- $230 RT per person @ 3 people= about $700
Car rental (has to be van or SUV for wheelchair)-  $400
Lodging -  $800
COBRA insurance- $1600
Food and sundries- $500
                      Total estimated need: $ 4,000


ANY spare dollar, prayer, or well wish will be most appreciatively accepted. Additionally, Jaden loves getting mail. If anyone wanted to send him well wishes prior to surgery, you can email Melanie (mjpatton@mail.usf.edu) or Jared (jaredstahlman@ymail.com) for our home address. A room number will be posted once he's assigned so that anyone wishing to could send him a card at the hospital.

Please see the SUPPORT LINKS section of this site. Listed are the PayPal donation pool and Venmo for donating funds. We've elected not to use GoFundMe because there's been reports of people having trouble obtaining the funds raised for them. From what I understand, Paypal does not charge for sending from PayPal balances or bank account funds (charges apply for using any credit cards) and Venmo does not charge for sending from Venmo funds, bank account, or debit cards (only charges for credit cards). Restaurant, Wal-Mart, or Walgreens gift cards will be helpful as well. 

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