'Teen Mom 2' Star Leah Messer-Calvert on Family's Financial Situation: 'It's Stressful' and Family is 'Drowning' in Medical Bills (TRAILER VIDEO)
"Teen Mom 2" star Leah Messer-Calvert has been through a lot in her life including an unplanned pregnancy when she was 16 and the birth of her twins, one of whom has a rare form of muscular dystrophy. Now the reality star has opened up about the toll the disease is taking on her family and finances.
Leah and ex-husband Corey welcomed twin daughters four years ago; they quickly realized that something was physically wrong with one of the twins, Ali. She was not developing at the same rate as her sister, Aleeah, and had problems with her motor skills. It took nearly four years of testing and patience to learn that Ali had an extremely rare form of muscular dystrophy that requires a great deal of physical therapy and treatment.
"It's stressful because insurance doesn't cover the whole cost. One bill alone was $20,000," Leah told In Touch magazine.
Leah had a job working at a tanning salon, but it became too much since she is the main provider for her three girls: Aleeah, Ali, and 17-month-old Adalynn. Despite all odds, though, Leah and her family are optimistic that Ali will soon be better than she is now. While the disease has taken away some of her mobility, Ali still has the intelligence she needs.
"She uses big words – like 'optimistic' and 'challenging' – sometimes things I wouldn't even think to say," Leah joked. "Ali is really smart and she's well aware of her disease, but she doesn't let it burden her. She knows she's different but she strives not to show it."
Ali's disease and Leah's struggle have been prominently featured on the "Teen Mom 2" series, which is currently in its fifth season and will air its "second half" starting next week. The show has opened a host of doors for the family, but has also provided an unexpected layer of stress.
"Teen Mom 2" kicks off on Wednesday, July 16, on MTV.
Watch a preview of the season here:
