A hopeful future for Carlin after a spinal injury

A bike ride along a Calgary bike path on a fateful September morning changed Carlin de Jonge’s life in an instant.
 
She had spent the morning at Glenmore Reservoir with her partner Yoeri, their 21-month-old son and her two stepchildren before heading out for a ride. Minutes later, a collision resulted in Carlin breaking her neck and suffering a severe and debilitating spinal cord injury. The medical assessment is a below the chest full paralysis, which will have a lifelong impact on the 38-year-old mom and her family.
 
Although Carlin has remained positive and determined as she has undergone treatment at Foothills Medical Centre, she and her family are starting to come to terms with some of the changes they will need to make in light of her reduced mobility and independence.
 
A GoFundMe account has been established to help meet the costs of retrofitting the family home to accommodate a wheelchair (chair lifts / elevator, ramps, bathrooms). Funds will also be needed to buy special equipment to support Carlin to live as independently as possible and allow her to eat, bathe and work from home. Her family is also looking at purchasing an adapted vehicle and hiring a personal care attendant.
 
Carlin, Yoeri and their extended family have been overwhelmed by the support they have received from the many people in their life who know and love Carlin. An extremely active lover of the outdoors who enjoys hiking and running as well as mountain biking, Carlin has a master’s degree in Special Education. Being very passionate about helping children and youth with reading and writing, Carlin started a very successful dyslexia assessment and tutoring business.
 
Carlin and Yoeri recently became engaged and in addition to being a mom to her young son Dane (21 months), Carlin is a loving step parent to Sarah, 12, and Finn, 10. Her positive attitude and determination in the face of a life-changing injury has inspired many around her. “No matter what happens, I know I will have a great life,” she has said.
 
While Carlin continues to receive great care in hospital, her friends and family are hoping to start raising funds so that she can return to her family home in the not-too-distant future. This is where you come in. The money raised on this platform will go directly to Carlin and any needs related to her injury. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for any contribution you feel able to make.