Family and friends are raising monies to help Vicki Landers with lifelong medical support. We want to support her well being and financial stability as her medical needs grow. Vicki’s journey started with the finding of an acoustic neuroma (a noncancerous tumor on the main nerve leading from the inner ear to the brain.
Also called a vestibular schwannoma usually grows slowly or not at all. However, in a few cases, it may grow rapidly and become large enough to press against the brain and interfere with vital functions. Pressure from the tumor can cause hearing loss, ringing in the ear, and unsteadiness) in 1996. She had it removed which left her with SSD (single sided deaf) in left ear, balance issues, and a lifelong headache. She is a fighter. She muscled through relearning to walk and getting back to a new normal. As the years have gone by her balance has become a daily issue becoming a fall risk. She fell down a flight of stairs and sustained permanent damage to her lower spinal cord. She started using a donated cane, as she was not able to afford medical insurance. Realizing the cane was causing more issues with her balance, she has given a rollator to use. After a few years her back started to really give her problems, and a new neurologist told her that the rollator was making her bend in a way that was causing more pressure of her lower back. So here we are now, Vicki walks around with anxiety and fear of falling. The orthopedist has advised her to be evaluated for possible arm crutches, and the possibility of needing a scooter at this time for safety. These are medical expenses she can not afford as a person on disability that falls into the ‘gap’ of being eligible for Medicare but not Medicaid services. This fund will help support her medical out of pocket expenses now and into the future as she needs them.

Vicki is a powerhouse. She started volunteering with Disability Pride Philadelphia, a community effort to have a parade to celebrate disabled people and their lives. After becoming a volunteer director she turned the committee into a non-profit to spread the celebration statewide. She spends her time in her community and working to better her community.