Jenny Slatten and husband Sumit Singh are opening up to fans about their mounting medical bills in the wake of Jenny’s ALS diagnosis, while also confirming that an online fundraiser launched by a friend on their behalf is legit and “absolutely not a scam.”
As The Ashley told you earlier this week, six months after a video of Jenny slurring her words sparked concern among 90 Day Fiancé fans, Jenny and Sumit revealed on Tuesday that Jenny was diagnosed with ALS (or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, often known as “Lou Gehrig’s disease”) at the end of last year– a diagnosis the TLC star called “life changing.”
On Thursday, Jenny and Sumit posted a video to Jenny’s social media page, which Sumit began by telling fans, “[it] is true that Jenny is suffering from ALS.”
“Yes, you can tell by the way I talk, it’s true,” Jenny added, referring to the change in how she speaks now, which is noticeably slower and somewhat slurred.
Summit told fans that while speaking has become harder for Jenny, the change in the way she speaks is not as “new” to them, as it’s something that Jenny has been dealing with for a “few months” now.
The couple– who are set to star on the new season of 90 Day: The Last Resort, premiering next month– told People magazine this week that Jenny received her diagnosis in December, but that she had been experiencing symptoms for about a year. (As mentioned above, Jenny’s speech in a video filmed in December was noticeably slow and slurred, causing many fans to express concern for her health in the comment section. In response, Jenny’s daughter Christina Cuevas assured fans that they were not sure what was wrong with Jenny, but that she and Sumit were “on it.”)
Summit and Jenny went on to explain to fans on Thursday that they were speaking out to confirm that a GoFundMe launched on their behalf this week by their friend Penny Minincleri is “absolutely not a scam,” as some online have speculated.
“ … She is not doing it for herself or doing anything wrong,” Sumit said of Penny. “Her intention is so pure, [her] intention is just to help us, to support us.”
Sumit said that while he and Jenny are “hearing a lot of people” asking why they are in need of financial assistance when they only revealed this week that Jenny had been diagnosed with ALS, he noted that his wife’s diagnosis “is not a new thing,” as she received the news more than five months ago. Since then, the couple said that Jenny has undergone “a lot of tests,” explored different meditation and medication, and she’s had both MRIs and CT scans.
In the description for the couple’s GoFundMe, their friend Penny explains that the “primary purpose of this fundraiser is to help cover Jenny’s growing medical expenses, including mobility equipment such as a walker and wheelchair, in-home nursing or caregiver support, and future hospital and treatment costs.” Penny also notes that Jenny’s medication for one year “will exceed $200,000.”
“In addition, with the support of Jenny’s daughters Christina and Dominque, we hope this fundraiser may also help make it possible for them to spend extended time in India so they can be by their mom’s side and support both Jenny and Sumit during this difficult journey,” she added.
While he and Jenny are accepting donations through the online fundraiser, Sumit assured fans that he is “giving [his] part” financially to Jenny’s medical costs, with Jenny interjecting to give her husband credit for “pay[ing] for everything.” Still, Sumit admitted that he and Jenny “never thought” the medical bills would “be that bad,” which is why they are open to accepting help.
“Honestly, if you or somebody wants to help, it’s really appreciated,” Sumit said. “If somebody cannot help but wants to help, thank you, you [can] pray for us. But if somebody cannot help and just wants to say mean stuff, that is something we don’t like. No pressure, if you don’t want to, no need to, but don’t say mean stuff.”
After telling fans on social media this week that they were “open to any kind of help — treatments, clinical trials, lifestyle changes, or anything that could help treat this disease or slow down its progression,” Sumit followed up on Thursday to express his appreciation to those who have reached out with “helpful” and “informative” ALS-related advice.
As the video went on, Sumit stressed again that “negative comments” regarding their GoFundMe are not welcome, as he and Jenny “need positivity” at this time.
“Our friend Penny, she wanted to help out of the kindness of her heart and she’s been attacked by everyone,” Jenny said, to which Sumit pleaded, “Please don’t do that. If you don’t want to be a part of it, it’s OK, it’s fine, but don’t bash someone without knowing … .”
As of press time, more than $21,000 has been donated to Jenny and Sumit’s GoFundMe.
Click here to watch Jenny and Sumit’s video discussing their online fundraiser.
RELATED STORY: “90 Day Fiance” Star Jenny Slatten Reveals She Has Been Diagnosed with ALS: “Please Don’t Treat Me Any Differently”
(Photos: Facebook; TLC; GoFundMe)
4 Responses
Sorry, but there’s no way Jenny needs a GoFundMe. The cost of living in India is so low that her $700ish/month Social Security is enough to pay for a 2 bedroom apartment, utilities, taxes & food. Plus, both her and Sumit have been raking in money from the show for a decade or more. The average ANNUAL income in India is $4600! Even if Jenny & Sumit only get paid $1500 or so per appearance, that’s way more than enough to pay their expenses. The average rent in India is between $180 and $340/month in USD. Groceries average $70-$200 USD/month and utilities including electric, water, heat, AC & garbage runs $23-$46 USD/month and if you add internet, it’s another $14. Health care is mostly free through government subsidized health care.
They ARE running a scam. Sorry she’s sick, but they don’t need a GoFundMe.
You are making a lot of assumptions. You can’t accurately estimate what the rent and bills are for a whole country. It can’t be the same in ever single city. Also does the subsidized healthcare pay for all those tests and medications she needs? And how would you actually know that information? And you have no idea what other bills they have. You don’t have enough info to make all these claims.
100%
People should never assume.
Terminal diseases are hella expensive.