Melissa's Medical Fund
Donation protected
On July 10, 2017, Melissa was admitted into the hopsital for emergency surgery to repair a disc that was about to sever her spinal cord. She had lived with extreme nerve pain and numbness in her legs for about a year.
The surgery removed the pressure on the spinal cord but due to complications, has left her paralyzed from the waist down. She has been at Good Shepherd for over a month with still no change.
Melissa is going through intense physical therapy daily to help gain arm and core strength to teach her to sit and balance on her own, as well as how to transfer from her wheelchair to other surfaces.
She is also meeting with an Occupational Therapist daily to help her relearn the daily basics on life so she can return home to care for her four children and husband. She is learning to shower, dress herself, cook, do laundry, etc.
She will be in rehab for another month and will then be sent home. She will need to purchase equipment, such as a wheelchair, shower wheelchair, transfer board, and stair glide in order to get to the second floor. The bathrooms will be remodeled to be handicapped accessible, ramps built to get into the home, and a possible new vehicle that will allow her to be able to go out with her family. Those who know Melissa well, know she hates missing her boys football games!
The expense is overwhelming. So many people have reached out to see how they can help. Donating to this fund would be a tremendous blessing to her, Chuck, and their children.
Thank you so much for your help and God bless!
The surgery removed the pressure on the spinal cord but due to complications, has left her paralyzed from the waist down. She has been at Good Shepherd for over a month with still no change.
Melissa is going through intense physical therapy daily to help gain arm and core strength to teach her to sit and balance on her own, as well as how to transfer from her wheelchair to other surfaces.
She is also meeting with an Occupational Therapist daily to help her relearn the daily basics on life so she can return home to care for her four children and husband. She is learning to shower, dress herself, cook, do laundry, etc.
She will be in rehab for another month and will then be sent home. She will need to purchase equipment, such as a wheelchair, shower wheelchair, transfer board, and stair glide in order to get to the second floor. The bathrooms will be remodeled to be handicapped accessible, ramps built to get into the home, and a possible new vehicle that will allow her to be able to go out with her family. Those who know Melissa well, know she hates missing her boys football games!
The expense is overwhelming. So many people have reached out to see how they can help. Donating to this fund would be a tremendous blessing to her, Chuck, and their children.
Thank you so much for your help and God bless!
Organizer and beneficiary
Michelle Ondush Pell
Organizer
Winchester, VA
Melissa Ondush Rizzuto
Beneficiary
