Support Shirley's Road to Recovery

On August 22nd 2024, after a day exploring on Lake Geneva, Shirley (her boyfriend Alan, his mom and daughter) were all involved in a horrific accident while heading home. A semi crossed into their lane and hit them head on at full speed. Shirley was airlifted from the accident to Javon Bea hospital in Rockford. An immediate life saving surgery was performed to save Shirley’s organs as her abdomen was ripped open in the accident. However, her intestines remained completely torn. During her first surgery she lost just under 1/2 of her intestine. After the surgery, Shirley was on a ventilator for 9 days in the ICU. During that time she also had 2 strokes that impacted both sides of the brain. Shirley has had numerous curveballs thrown her way since then receiving a total of 19 abdominal surgeries. Prior to her last surgery she had 3 intestinal fistula’s (small holes in the intestines) in which they had tried to heal. This resulted in daily cleanings and re-dressing of the wound and a lot of pain for her. After the last surgery they were finally able to repair the intestines and hopefully prevent any further surgeries from being needed.

During the last 7 months Shirley has been on extended TPN where she was unable to eat or drink for weeks at a time, experienced seizures, panic attacks, a brain bleed, and needed countless tests done. Shirley has fought through every obstacle to get to where she is today, in rehab. She is currently working on learning to sit independently, get in and out of bed, sit on a toilet, take assisted steps, and learn daily living skills again. The doctors have full confidence that she will regain the strength in her legs with extensive therapy. Her right arm and hand are working great but her left arm still is unable to function properly from the strokes. Shirley will continue to need intensive physical and occupational therapy. She will also need dental surgery as she lost several teeth in the accident.

At this time, it is unknown how much support she will need on a day-to-day basis when she is able to go home. Before the accident Shirley spent time with her grandchildren several days a week and was an activity/event coordinator at Creekside in Evansville. She has not been able to work over the past 8 months and will not be able to for the foreseeable future.

If you are able, lets help Shirley (and her family) worry less about money so she can focus on getting home to spend time with her 5 grandkids. If you are unable to assist financially, please pray over her healing journey. If you would prefer, you can venmo Shirley’s daughter Shelbey @Shelbey-Collins19 and all funds will be delivered directly to Shirley as well.

***There will be a benefit in Clinton, WI to celebrate Shirley in July! ***