Helping Hannah

Hello,

 

My name is Maggie Miller, and I am fundraising for Hannah Locke.

 

Hannah and I have been friends since 2007, and she’s been there for me through thick and thin. We are two peas in a pod.

 

Hannah was a gymnast from the age of 2 to 14. She ended up with neuropathy in her feet from the sport. She did every possible therapy possible to improve that pain including acupuncture, plantar fascial releases, steroid injections, physical therapy for months, etc.  The only thing that was effective was a nerve stimulator, which blocks pain signals to the spinal cord. The original lead for the stimulator eventually migrated, and became ineffective. It took a few months, but a replacement lead was approved and planned. This new lead would be fastened down to the spine so it couldn’t migrate. 

On 12/21/21 she had the procedure to remove the original lead and place the new one. That went fine. Until she woke up from anesthesia, and had no movement or sensation from her waist down. It turned out there was a significant bleed in her spine that caused this paralysis.

It is now day three. The new lead and the stimulator were removed late that night. She has residual neurological dysfunction. She cannot feel her left leg. She has limited, but at least not absent, motor function in both legs. She cannot yet support herself standing. 

 

She will need to transfer from the ICU at Sinai Hospital to an acute rehab facility in order to regain motor and sensory function in her legs. 

The doctors are saying that the recovery will be difficult, but they are sure the road ahead looks positive.

For now, Hannah will be on short term disability and will need 2-3 weeks of rehab. There will be significant medical bills piling up, as well as the decreased income. 

I am hoping to raise money for her in order to help with medical bills and living costs, as her fiancé, Chris and Hannah just bought a new home. 

 

The long-term hope is that she can regain her ability to stand and walk, and hopefully walk down the aisle for her wedding in May of 2023 without assistance. 

 

Any donation helps, and thank you.