Help Isabelle Get the Surgery She Deserves

About Isabelle

Isabelle Martinez, 25, is my daughter — a kind and caring young woman from Texas. She enjoys cooking, reading, tending to her plants, and caring for her dog, Milo. A dedicated vegetarian, she has a deep compassion for animals. Close to her twin sister Rosie and brother Mark, Isabelle longs for a normal life but has been hindered by her condition.

Due to insecurity about her appearance, Isabelle has isolated herself, avoiding social interactions and rarely leaving home. She has limited contact with extended family and spends most of her time in her room, missing out on opportunities for work, friendships, and independence.

Isabelle's Medical Journey

Born with arteriovenous malformation (AVM)—a rare tangle of blood vessels in her face—Isabelle's condition has worsened over time, causing swelling, breathing difficulties in cold weather, and increased risk of aneurysm or stroke.

• Age 13: Began experiencing depression; homeschooled to avoid bullying.
• Age 15: Attempted suicide due to emotional distress.
• Age 16: Consulted specialists; underwent initial surgery at Dell Children's Hospital in December 2017.
• Age 18 (2018): Lost Medicaid coverage upon turning adult, halting follow-up treatments.

For years, Isabelle has been unable to access necessary care due to insurance barriers. Current symptoms include facial swelling,and severe isolation, exacerbating her depression and ADHD.

The Impact of Isolation

Isabelle's condition has led to profound isolation she hasn't left our home in nearly five years.

Isabelle stopped seeing her doctor a few years ago after repeated failures to find specialized help, feeling defeated by the system.

Why Coverage Is Unavailable

Despite extensive efforts, systemic gaps in Texas healthcare prevent assistance:

• Medicaid: Restricted to specific categories (e.g., pregnant, disabled via SSI); Isabelle does not qualify as an adult without children.
• Healthcare.gov: Household income ties eligibility, placing us in the "gap"—too much for Medicaid, too little for subsidies.
• SSI: Multiple denials despite qualifying conditions; process is lengthy and often requires legal aid.

For details on these challenges, visit our Healthcare Gap page.

Our Commitment to Transparency

We pledge:

• 100% of donations allocated to medical expenses.
• Regular updates with appointments, bills, and receipts.
• Any surplus returned to donors.

Your support—financial or through sharing—means the world. Even small contributions accumulate to make a difference. Thank you for considering our cause.