Support Jim Fox

We first began to notice tremors in our dad’s left hand well over a year ago. A doctor’s appointment in March 2023 confirmed what we had suspected, Dad had Parkinson’s Disease. Parkinson’s is a neurological condition caused by the degeneration of neurons in the brain area that makes dopamine, a neurotransmitter that affects movement. As dopamine declines, the characteristic tremors, balance, speech, and motor problems develop. The common Parkinson’s treatment are drugs that mimic dopamine, and while these drugs can improve symptoms, disease progression is not halted, and side effects mount with long‐term use.

Back in March, Dad was still farming and was able to get all his crops in by mid to late May. The night that he finished planting he laid down on the living room floor, completely drained. Much to our surprise, he told us that he didn’t think he could farm anymore. It was just too physically difficult for him. Farming has always been Dad’s passion so for him to recognize that he physically couldn’t do it anymore and willingly give it up, we knew that his health was declining more than what we could see at the time.

Over the summer Dad’s health continued to slowly decline, but this fall it began declining at a rapid speed. By September Dad was struggling to walk long distances or stand for extended periods of time. In October he spent three days in the hospital due to low hemoglobin levels. After that hospital stay his Parkinson’s picked up even more speed. By November he was struggling to keep his balance in just everyday walking. Much to his dislike, we talked him into using a cane, and on his really bad days at home, he uses a walker.

Living in Northwest Ohio allows us to utilize the services at Sara’s Garden, a hyperbaric treatment facility. Hyperbaric treatments (HBOT) flood the brain with oxygen, oxygenating the entire body. It slows neuronal degeneration, mobilizes rejuvenating stem cells, and stimulates the growth of new healthy blood vessels that nurture damaged areas. It has also been shown to decrease depression, anxiety, and tremors in patients with Parkinson’s Disease.

Unfortunately, in the U.S. insurance companies do not recognize HBOT as being therapeutic for treatment of many conditions for which it is beneficial, including Parkinson’s Disease, and will therefore not cover the cost of the treatments. We would like to see Dad participate in Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy at Sara’s Garden. HBOT for his condition is only $150 per treatment at Sara’s Garden, as opposed to $1,500-2,500 per treatment at a hospital. However, since our plan is for him to receive at least 40 HBOT treatments that cost adds up quickly.

If you could assist us with the cost of a single $150 treatment or even just a small part of the cost, it would help reduce our overall expenses greatly. 100% of the funds received will go into an account in Dad’s name and will be used for his treatments. Any contribution made would be considered a tax-deductible donation as Sara’s Garden is a 501(c)(3) non-profit facility. Checks can be made out to Sara’s Garden with Dad’s name on a sheet of paper accompanying the check. Please do NOT write his name directly on the check. You can also donate securely online via credit card by clicking on the DONATE NOW button below.

Thank you so much for considering supporting Dad’s treatments at Sara’s Garden!

The children of Jim Fox