Reality television personalities Jenny Slatten and Sumit Singh, known for their appearance on TLC's "90 Day Fiancé: The Other Way," have released a video to defend their decision to launch a GoFundMe campaign to cover Slatten's medical expenses.
Slatten, 68, revealed last month that she has been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a progressive neurodegenerative disease also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. Her friend initiated a GoFundMe campaign to assist with her mounting medical costs, which has since raised over $62,000 toward a $250,000 goal. The campaign aims to cover costs such as mobility equipment, in-home care, and treatments, with estimated annual medication expenses exceeding $200,000.
In a video posted to Instagram, Singh, 38, and Slatten addressed backlash they received for seeking donations. Slatten's speech was noticeably slowed and slurred in the video, a symptom of her illness. She explained that she anticipates needing a wheelchair in the near future. Singh highlighted that the couple does not have health insurance in India, where they married five years ago and have resided since.
They argued that returning to the United States presents significant challenges. Slatten is no longer able to travel alone, and obtaining a visa for Singh would be difficult. While Slatten's daughters in America have offered her a place to stay, she expressed a desire not to be a burden to them and to remain with her husband, emphasizing that a couple can rely on each other.
Singh reiterated the need for financial support, stating, "money will not gonna heal but it's support and makes life easier." He noted that they had not previously asked for financial assistance, despite facing difficulties during their time on the show.
Singh also appealed to viewers to refrain from posting negative comments, saying, "negativity is very bad for Jenny." Slatten confirmed her physical difficulties, noting she tires easily and is still able to walk but will likely require a wheelchair soon.
Slatten's daughters, Christine and Dominique, commented on the post, assuring their mother that she would never be a burden and that they were committed to supporting her. They expressed understanding of her desire to stay with her husband in India but wanted her to know she was welcome in the U.S.
Slatten and Singh gained prominence in 2019 on "90 Day Fiancé: The Other Way," a spin-off where Americans relocate to their foreign spouses' home countries. Their relationship, marked by a significant age gap and initial opposition from Singh's family, has been a frequent topic on the series. The couple met on Facebook, and Singh was initially married to another woman when their relationship began.