Hi, my name is Tracy McGinnis and I am the sister of Clay Risner, father of Maddie Risner. I am starting this fundraiser to help raise funds for Maddie’s journey to healing (here is a link to the story that aired 6-18-2025).
https://www.wlky.com/article/kentucky-family-battles-rare-illness-daughter-covid-diagnosis/65105407?fbclid=IwQ0xDSwLBIkpleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHgKI9NFQAhfqycy1oNSM85XRJuoMFXBlH-Q_2CTjZYpCS0O7F2eVwqt_oiwf_aem_XxSxz6Si7vxle-0kQ_4hMw
If you are new to Maddie’s Story, Maddie was a healthy, vibrant, full of life 12 year old when she was diagnosed with Covid in August of 2021. She developed numbness in her feet shortly after which progressed into a diagnosis of FND (Functional Neurological Disorder). Her journey has progressed over the last 3 1/2 years with many symptoms which now include seizures, inability to speak, paralysis, and just within the last few weeks an inability to swallow. She is at home now with a NG tube for her liquids, feeds, and necessary nutrition.
Maddie will be going in the next couple of weeks to the Spero Clinic in Fayetteville, Arkansas where she has been accepted for a 20 week program that will focus on FND and long COVID. This program is having a lot of success healing patients with similar symptoms. The clinic works to address the inflammation and heal her nervous system, which we believe has been attacked and is no longer functioning. We are hoping this program will be her answer and healing can begin.
Unfortunately, this journey is a very expensive because the cost of the program is not covered by insurance. In addition, because it is an outpatient program, the family will need a rental for the duration of their time in Arkansas. Also, Maddie’s mother Amy, who is a veteran elementary school teacher in Nelson County, will be not be drawing a salary for the time they are in Arkansas, which also hinders the family financially. I am hoping by creating this fundraiser, we can help to pay for the costs of the Spero Clinic program, the living expenses, and food while out of town so the family can focus totally on Maddie’s healing.
If you cannot donate to this fund, the family is spiritually driven and would be honored just to have your prayers that this trip is a success. Thank you so much and please share Maddie’s Story, because we feel God will heal and that MADDIE WILL BE HEALED AND RESTORED!
Please do not TIP me for creating the fundraiser. If a tip is given, it will be sent straight to the family. Thank you all and God bless all of you for taking the time to read and share Maddie’s Story.
