Christine's Second Chance
Donation protected
What happened:
On Wednesday, September 9th, 2015 while driving home after picking up her youngest son from daycare, my sister-in-law, Christine DiSandro, suffered a brain stem stroke that blocked her basilar artery. She sat for close to six hours in her car along the side of interstate 270 with her two-year-old son in his carseat behind her.
While having a stroke, her instinct wasn't to save herself but to save her baby:
While experiencing her stroke symptoms, she had the presence of mind to roll down her back window. So, although it was a hot afternoon, her youngest son survived the incident without experiencing any injury.
Her condition:
Tragically, she did not receive medication or surgery to remove the blood clot in time. Now she now has a very rare condition called, "locked in syndrome."
As of March 2017, she can feel her body, hear, and see. She is fully mentally aware and awake on the inside. She can move her neck, and move her right leg on command. She can also move her arms as well. She cannot speak, eat, or breathe on her own right now. She continues to use her eyes to communicate. Genesis Ballenger Creek has stated that they are working on trying to get Christine an EyeGaze machine. However, it's been in an approval process for over a month.
Help is needed.
It's now been one year and six month's since Christine's stroke. Thanks to her family and friends, her immediate needs have been taken care of. Now, she wants another chance at an inpatient stroke rehabiliation program.
As of March 2017, the funds raised on this page will go directly to support the costs associated with her continued stroke rehabilitation.
The United States needs more options for independent living—affordable, accessible housing mixed into the general population, not segregated or relegated to squeeze into existing senior housing. It's not fair to seniors or to younger disabled people, like Christine.
People who, even 10 years ago, would have died from traumatic injuries are being saved. In consideration of the statistical rise in chronic disabling medical conditions, compassionate housing solutions for people with disabilities is desperately needed! Other ways to help: Share this page with others. Write her an inspirational message on this page. Christine needs all the positive energy she can get.
As of March 2017, the funds raised on this page will go directly to support the costs associated with her continued stroke rehabilitation.
The United States needs more options for independent living—affordable, accessible housing mixed into the general population, not segregated or relegated to squeeze into existing senior housing. It's not fair to seniors or to younger disabled people, like Christine.
People who, even 10 years ago, would have died from traumatic injuries are being saved. In consideration of the statistical rise in chronic disabling medical conditions, compassionate housing solutions for people with disabilities is desperately needed! Other ways to help: Share this page with others. Write her an inspirational message on this page. Christine needs all the positive energy she can get.
Organizer
Sarah DiSandro
Organizer
Brunswick, MD