Road to Recovery: Please help Kiley Barbagallo get back on her feet again with the ExoSym. KineticOrthosis (A special device to help her walk without pain)

The is the story of Kiley Barbagallo, a vibrant young woman who has a passion for life and is determined to regain the active lifestyle she had before her devastating accident. June 17, 2021 was the day that her life was turned upside down. She had just completed her junior year of high school and was looking forward to a fun summer playing softball and pursuing college recruitment. It was the first tournament of the summer season, Kiley and her team, the CT Seahawks, traveled out of state to play in one of the largest college showcase tournaments in the country. Playing aggressively as she always did, she ran full speed to catch a foul ball, not realizing that the fence was much closer than anticipated. In the process of catching the foul ball, her foot got caught in the fence causing a compound fracture and ankle dislocation on her right leg. That was the first day of her long journey of surgeries, physical therapy, and second opinions. Four years and seven surgeries later, Kiley continues to struggle with pain and limited mobility. She is unable to run, jump, or do any physical activities that a normal 21-year-old should be able to do. At this point, the doctors have not been able to provide her with any new nonsurgical solutions. They continue to recommend a total ankle replacement but are not willing to perform the surgery yet because she is still too young. Not giving up, Kiley began searching social media for other options to improve her physical mobility and quality of life. It was on Instagram where she found the ExoSym Kinetic Orthosis. It is a carbon fiber brace that offloads the ankle to decrease pain and works dynamically to improve agility and function. After researching the ExoSym device, she was optimistic that this device could change her life. She completed the application, sent videos of her walking, and said some prayers that she would be a candidate to receive the brace. Thankfully, Kiley was accepted into this exclusive and prestigious program and will begin her journey to functional recovery very soon. This journey has already posed some very large obstacles. First, the device is NOT covered by insurance and second, she will need to travel to Washington state for 9 days to the specifically designed facility for custom fitting and functional training. The cost of the brace, medical appointments and travel expenses are estimated to be $15,000.00, making this a significant hardship for her and her family. We are sharing this Go Fund Me page with the softball community in hopes that this brace will provide Kiley with the freedom and joy to walk her dog, go hiking, or even play softball again without pain. Every contribution, no matter the size, brings her closer to the independence and joy she deserves. If you can't donate, sharing this page would mean just as much. Here is how your support will help in Kiley's journey:

-Consultation Fees

-Cost of materials for custom brace

-Fabrication of the brace

-Fitting and adjustments

-Functional training with brace

Kiley's resilience and determination inspire everyone around her and with your generosity, we can give her the tools to chase her dreams once more. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your kindness and support and for listening to her story. Together, let's help Kiley get back into the game.