Dirje Childs' Rehab for Recovery

Hi, I'm Dalis Allen, friend and fan of Dirje Childs. I am using this beautiful letter a dear friend wrote about Dirje explaining why we are asking for help for her recovery.........

You may know her as the "Grateful Cellist," loving friend, fearless collaborator, or the indomitable voice of her alter-ego Sal. By force of spirit, she inspires people to a full-hearted plunge into living.

In mid-November, Dirje had a massive stroke—lost her speech and the functionality of her entire left side. She was care-flighted to ICU in San Antonio, began rehab there, was hospitalized again with pneumonia, then was transferred to Encompass Rehabilitation center in Austin.

In all of this, Dirje's "presence" is powerful and she is finding her words again (with great intention and the help of specialists). She is slowly beginning to activate her left side. However, Medicare limits her stay at Encompass to 21 days and she is at the end of this period now. Her medical team believes she has lots of recovery potential. They are recommending 30-days of treatment at an independent facility - Texas NeuroRehab - for acute and intense daily therapies: speech, physical and occupational. There is, they say, a window of time in which the brain is better able to build new pathways.

Here's where we come in! The only way she can afford this professional support is with the help of her friends. The cost of this one-month burst of specialists is $36k. The hoped-for result is that she will be able to clarify her speech and to work toward being able to stand and move well enough to live at home (with help). For this, she's letting us know she will work like crazy every day. The arc of her recovery will be longer, certainly. But we hope to accelerate it by supporting her. And because her needs after this month will continue, the financial target of this campaign is $60k.

It's a rare privilege to be there for Dirje. We are the "Grateful Hands and Hearts" to surround and lift her. Thank you for being part of this collective response!

There is also a Caring Bridge site for those that would like to follow Dirje's progress and send her Love notes. https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/dirjechilds

Facebook post from Dirje (spring of 2019): "Dear friends, You amaze me with your kindness and love. I’ve come through some deep spiritual learning from some of the most harrowing health issues I could’ve faced. My heart is full of deep gratitude and love for you.”