PT for Natalie
Donation protected
On a rainy October morning in 2020, Natalie Matarazzo and her sister, Lauren, were driving to school when their car hydroplaned and hit a tree. What began as a normal high school morning for two beautiful girls, excited about all the joys of their senior year, became a life changing event whose story continues to unfold.
While Lauren suffered a spinal injury that has thankfully been healing well, Natalie was unable to walk away from the accident. In fact, she was unable to move her legs at all. Natalie was paralyzed from the waist down.
Natalie was rushed to the hospital where emergency surgery was performed and every attempt to restore nerve function was made. Sadly, Natalie awoke from surgery still unable to move her legs or sense anything below her waist.
A strong and determined young lady, supported by a wonderful family, Natalie began Physical Therapy. She worked hard every day, slowly learning to sit, then boost in bed, and transfer to a chair. One day, Natalie began to feel a few twitches in her legs. This made Natalie work even harder...
After many long weeks of strenuous PT, Natalie was transferred to Gaylord Hospital, a rehabilitation hospital specializing in spinal cord injury recovery. Natalie learned how to use a wheel chair, worked hard on maximizing the partial return of function in her legs, and eventually began to stand for very brief periods. Her perseverance continued...
Amazingly, Natalie was soon taking a few steps in the parallel bars, beginning to use a walker, and making plans to return home. She returned home in a wheel chair to the embrace of her family and the joyful tears of her loved ones.
Unfortunately, after 6 months of therapy, her insurance coverage has been exhausted. The Matarazzo Family will now have to find a way to pay for physical therapy or settle for the partial recovery attained thus far.
At this point, Natalie is working as hard as ever to restore whatever function she can regain in her legs...with high school graduation, college, and the rest of her life ahead of her.
The first 18 months of recovery after a spinal cord injury are the most critical. Physical Therapy at a facility such as Gaylord Hospital is the key to optimizing function and setting up successful mobility for the rest of Natalie's life.
As a result, we are establishing the "PT for Natalie" fund to cover the cost of her physical therapy for the next 12 months. Can you help us meet this goal? A visit of physical therapy can cost about $90. Can you sponsor a visit? Two?? Your support can make all the difference in Natalie's life.
With Gratitude,
Paul Bauer and Staff at Physical Therapy Specialists of Guilford
While Lauren suffered a spinal injury that has thankfully been healing well, Natalie was unable to walk away from the accident. In fact, she was unable to move her legs at all. Natalie was paralyzed from the waist down.
Natalie was rushed to the hospital where emergency surgery was performed and every attempt to restore nerve function was made. Sadly, Natalie awoke from surgery still unable to move her legs or sense anything below her waist.
A strong and determined young lady, supported by a wonderful family, Natalie began Physical Therapy. She worked hard every day, slowly learning to sit, then boost in bed, and transfer to a chair. One day, Natalie began to feel a few twitches in her legs. This made Natalie work even harder...
After many long weeks of strenuous PT, Natalie was transferred to Gaylord Hospital, a rehabilitation hospital specializing in spinal cord injury recovery. Natalie learned how to use a wheel chair, worked hard on maximizing the partial return of function in her legs, and eventually began to stand for very brief periods. Her perseverance continued...
Amazingly, Natalie was soon taking a few steps in the parallel bars, beginning to use a walker, and making plans to return home. She returned home in a wheel chair to the embrace of her family and the joyful tears of her loved ones.
Unfortunately, after 6 months of therapy, her insurance coverage has been exhausted. The Matarazzo Family will now have to find a way to pay for physical therapy or settle for the partial recovery attained thus far.
At this point, Natalie is working as hard as ever to restore whatever function she can regain in her legs...with high school graduation, college, and the rest of her life ahead of her.
The first 18 months of recovery after a spinal cord injury are the most critical. Physical Therapy at a facility such as Gaylord Hospital is the key to optimizing function and setting up successful mobility for the rest of Natalie's life.
As a result, we are establishing the "PT for Natalie" fund to cover the cost of her physical therapy for the next 12 months. Can you help us meet this goal? A visit of physical therapy can cost about $90. Can you sponsor a visit? Two?? Your support can make all the difference in Natalie's life.
With Gratitude,
Paul Bauer and Staff at Physical Therapy Specialists of Guilford
Organizer and beneficiary
Paul Bauer
Organizer
Guilford, CT
Marla Matarazzo
Beneficiary