Please help Amy Rodriguez walk again

Imagine if one day you woke up unable to stand, walk or use your hands. That's exactly the nightmare Amy found herself in on Saturday, April 8! She had no sensation in her arms, or her legs from the knees to the tips of her toes. With no warning except a serious sinus infection for which she had been given an antibiotic and steroid prescription, this came out of nowhere.

If you know Amy personally then you realize that her job requires her to stand for hours using her hands to create the perfect look for her clients at her salon, Amara. Amy has been working for the last 20 years as one of Kansas City's best independent salon owners, with her dear friend and co-owner Sara McBee. This situation has robbed Amy of her income and physical independence. Amy is such a dedicated, hard working small business owner and had to be convinced to let us (her friends and clients) start this page. Please help Amy deal with the mounting medical bills that have accumulated from spending the entire month of April in Menorah Hospital and MOST IMPORTANTLY help get her the intensive rehab so she can regain her mobility and get her life back as a mom, business owner and friend.

More details about Amy’s medical ordeal are as follows:

Amy was admitted to Menorah Medical Center immediately on April 8. There, she endured more than 50 blood samples, CAT scans, X-rays, MRIs of her brain and spine, as well as a Lumbar puncture.

Except for the 20% increased pressure in her spine, all tests were normal. Medical professionals are truly perplexed and are still trying to understand why this happened. Her symptoms mimic Guillain-Barré syndrome. Her doctors are awaiting the results of genetic testing and the neurologist cannot yet make a diagnosis.

Currently, Amy is unable to sense the location of her arms or legs in space because she lacks proprioception. She can tell a little bit more if she wears arm and ankle weights, but she cannot work until she regains these senses. Though they still lack a specific diagnosis, they advise her to anticipate at least 100 days; but, that depends on her getting the intense therapy she needs. All donations will help Amy secure this care.

Amy returned home in a wheelchair and a walker on Thursday, May 4 and is in desperate need of this rehabilitation therapy. Sadly, her insurance will only cover a small amount of outpatient therapy (30 minutes per day, three days per week) for 6 weeks. Unfortunately, the therapy Amy needs to get her mobility and life back is at a GBS (Guillain-Barré Syndrome) rehabilitation center where she would get the necessary physical and occupational therapy 6 to 8 hours per day, five days per week. This kind of rigorous, targeted approach to GBS rehabilitation has shown incredibly positive and dramatic results in previous cases. Additionally, Amy has mounting medical expenses from the ER, ICU, and rehab facility at Menorah that are challenging, if not impossible, to pay for while unable to work.

The funds being raised are to cover her medical expenses, living expenses while unable to work and her life-saving therapy.

Amy is a fighter and a strong woman. Despite this terrifying encounter, she maintains her cheerful attitude. Any assistance with these costs would be greatly appreciated. Your assistance makes a difference between a burden that Amy has to bear alone, or a shared responsibility that we can all help to ease. Your generosity can provide Amy with the financial support she needs to focus on her recovery and regain her strength. Your donation, no matter how big or small, will go a long way in helping Amy overcome this difficult time. Let us come together to support Amy and show her that she is not alone in this fight. Thank you for your kindness and compassion.