NEWS

Family taking a chance to ease teen's pain

Carl Burnett Jr.
Reporter

JUNCTION CITY – There has never been a time in Jordan Flickinger's 19 years of life that she has been without pain.

"It was a traumatic birth and she has been in pain ever since," said Jordan's mother, Tricia. "Over the years, we have gone to a number of doctors, hospitals and clinics."

Her father, Jeff Flickinger, a Columbus firefighter, said in the end she was called a "zebra" by medical staff because of her multiple problems.

She is diagnosed currently with: Diplegic Cerebral Palsy, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Type 3 Disautonomia, Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, Chiari Malformation, Scoliosis, Myofascial Pain Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, Mast Cell Activation Disorder and New Daily Persistent Headache.

"She lives with a headache in the back of her skull near her spinal cord that has continually worsened over time," Tricia said. "Her blood pressure drops to dangerously low levels and she has had to have IV fluids to help her normalize."

Flareups are a constant factor in her life. Two weeks ago she was treated at the Cleveland Clinic, after which she suffered a reaction to medication she received in an IV to give her relief. That forced her into another hospital.

"Actually, it was probably good that I've always had this pain," Jordan said. "If I had picked it up later in life, it might have been too much bear. This way it is something I live with."

However, last week she was back home with her mother and father and five brothers and sisters. She was having both good and bad days but looking toward the future.

"I'd like to go to college and study environmental sciences and eventually go into the medical field to help people," Jordan said.

She also thought about volunteering for the Peace Corps if she can get a degree.

The pain, however, has sidetracked her ambitions. But help may be in the future; recently the Flickingers secured an appointment with Dr. Fraser Henderson, a Bethesda, Maryland-based neurosurgeon, in May.

"She may need a spinal fusion to stabilize her cervical spine to give her the opportunity to live a semi-normal life," Tricia said. "It would be near where your spine enters your skull."

Tricia said the waiting list for patients to see Henderson can be months, if not years.

"But they had a cancellation, called us, and said they could see her in May," Tricia said. "It was a blessing."

However, the cost of having her condition checked out is more than $10,000 for the family. The initial appointments are set for May 18 and May 20.

Jeff Flickinger said they do have good insurance, but the cost of this specialist will mean the family will have to pay the $10,000 deductible and for initial visits, and that's before any surgery is performed.

"We also found out that we are not going to be able to use the Ronald McDonald House there until after she is admitted as a patient. It's a little different than here in Ohio," Tricia said. "So right now we are going to have to pay for our lodgings somewhere in the area until we know they can do something for her. It's going to be quite expensive and we just don't have the money to cover it all out of our pockets."

Jordan said she is praying that Bethesda doctor will be able to help her and she will be able to move on with her life.

If you would like to help the Flickinger family offset the estimated $20,000 in medical and temporary housing expenses, a Go Fund Me account at http://www.gofundme.com/jordanflickinger has been established and you can donate online.

cburnett@lancastereaglegazette.com

740-681-4346

Twitter: @CarlBurnettJr