Ryan Stockdale suffers from an extremely rare and painful condition called cluster headaches, also known as suicide headaches. Ryan and his family were featured on ABC's Extreme Home Makeover in 2007, but shortly after moving into their new home, Ryan was diagnosed with this condition that affects less than .01% of the population. Since then, Ryan and his family have been trying to cope with the constant agony caused by cluster headaches.
The pain of cluster headaches is significantly greater than in other headache conditions, including severe migraines, and experts believe that it may be the most severe pain known to medical science. Ryan can experience up to ten attacks a day, leaving him crying in pain, unable to work, attend school, or even play with his kids. At only 27-years-old, Ryan has been left paralyzed by his condition.
Ryan has tried dozens of drugs and treatments, but nothing works. His last option is a procedure called deep brain stimulation, where doctors implant a pacemaker-like device that delivers electric stimulation to the brain. Ryan has tried to get his insurance company to cover the procedure, but they have rejected his physicians' requests and appeals.
Ryan's last chance is to appeal to his former employer, Omnipure Filter Company in Caldwell, Idaho. Omnipure can approve this procedure and give Ryan and his family a chance at a normal, happy life.
Please support and his family by signing the petition asking Omnipure to approve Ryan's procedure.
Dear Roger Reid,
We the undersigned strongly support Ryan Stockdale and his appeal to have deep brain stimulation covered under his insurance plan. Ryan suffers from an extremely rare and painful condition called cluster headaches, also known as "suicide headaches."
Ryan has tried dozens of drugs and treatments without success. Now, his physicians, recognized as the world's experts on cluster headaches, have told him that deep brain stimulation is his only hope of curing his cluster headaches.
Please grant Ryan's request to cover this critical procedure. You will give children back their father, a wife back her husband, and allow Ryan to resume his life as an active member of his church and his community. You have the opportunity to do so much for this family in need. We pray that you seize this chance to be a hero for Ryan, his wife, Karia, and their four children.
Sincerely,
