Mandolin Badger

Help Mandolin Access Life-Changing Treatment for Traumatic Brain Injury

Hi, I’m Mandolin—a 40-year-old disability advocate, retreat leader, and healing arts practitioner living with a traumatic brain injury (TBI), dysautonomia (POTS), and complex PTSD.

On April 27, 2021, a freak accident upended my entire life. My brain is still fully intact—but the pathways that communicate with my body and the outside world were damaged or broken. Without access to proper treatment, my health has steadily declined.

Since the injury, I’ve developed seizures, chronic vomiting, and dangerous blood pressure drops that cause blackouts. I can’t use stairs without assistance, can’t prepare food, can’t work, and can’t manage daily life without full-time support. I have been unable to live independently since the accident.

I’ve also lost my life savings and maxed out all the loans I’ve been able to attain.

Now, there’s finally a way forward.

I’ve been accepted into a cutting-edge functional neurology program in Portland, Maine, designed for patients with complex brain injuries and nervous system dysfunction. This treatment will restore my neural pathways, stabilize my health, and give me my life back.

But it isn’t covered by Medicaid insurance.

Thanks to a partnership with the nonprofit Help Hope Live, all donations to this campaign are tax-deductible and go directly to medical and essential living expenses. I need to raise $21,000 to begin by May 27 when the only hospital accessible to me closes, and $77,025 total to complete the full 6-month plan.

A Little About Me

Before my injury, I spent over a decade leading regenerative retreats, holding space for healing, supporting our planet, locals in developing countries, animals, and helping others feel safe in their bodies and lives.

I love being in nature, yoga, rock climbing, camping on multi-day treks, exploring new cultures, savoring amazing homemade food, and making people feel at home—especially when the world has been harsh. These are the moments that made me feel most alive, most connected, and most myself.

I’ve always been passionate about the outdoors, movement as medicine, pleasure-based healing, and nature-based community connection. I’m someone who listens deeply and creates sensory-safe environments for people who need to reconnect to themselves and what matters.

How My Life Has Been Affected

Since the TBI, daily life has become small, painful and overwhelming. I am constantly in the ER due to complications. I can’t navigate the world alone. Some days, I can’t even stand up without assistance. And despite being approved for 28.5 hours of in home support a week, steady care has been a consistent challenge.

The injury didn’t take my spirit, but it made basic safety and access feel out of reach.

What I’m Fundraising For

This functional neurology program includes therapies not available anywhere else near me. It requires relocating to Portland, Maine, and paying out of pocket for housing, daily care, and transportation in addition to treatment.

Your tax-deductible donation through Help Hope Live supports:

Functional neurology treatment

Relocation and accessible housing

What Healing Would Make Possible

This treatment could restore my nervous system, reduce seizures and dysautonomia, and give me the strength to live—not just survive.

Healing means independence: showering, driving, preparing meals, walking my dog, going outside alone. It means living somewhere that nourishes me. Spending time with community. Working again—slowly, in ways that honor my nervous system and allow me to return to the Earth-based, healing work I love.

It means reclaiming joy: going to restaurants. Dancing at live music. Camping under stars. Rock climbing. Hiking. Yoga in the sun. Moving through the world in a body that feels pain free and safe again.

And it means building a life: showing up for friends. Being a romantic partner. Maybe even becoming a parent.

This is what I’m fighting for—life with energy, connection, purpose, and choice.

How You Can Help

Please consider making a tax-deductible donation in my name to Help Hope Live and ask your friends and family to give, too! Also please consider sharing my campaign or organizing a fundraiser in my honor. Every step forward has been possible because someone showed up.

If you want to help or connect, you can reach me through this campaign page or at [email protected]

Thank you for your generosity in helping me come back to life.

With love and deep gratitude, Mandolin

(Your donation is 100% tax-deductible and securely managed by Help Hope Live, a nonprofit medical fundraising platform.)