EMT DENIED WORKERS COMP WHILE FIGHTING COVID-19

Images (Top to Bottom): my mom getting her hair washed while infected with coronavirus, my mother in the rotating bed, and a recent photograph of my mother at work

This fundraiser is to help pay my mother’s medical bills. Ibeth Carpenter, 52, is an EMT in Cleveland, Oklahoma and has been working  for Mercy Regional EMS. For the past 14 years, Ibeth has been on the front lines saving lives. She was at work when she was exposed and contracted the coronavirus while transporting a patient at the end of February.

Due to a variety of reasons (such as lack of knowledge and resources) Ibeth, who showed many symptoms of the virus, was not given the testing needed to diagnose the coronavirus, which led to the serious decline of her overall health. As a result, Ibeth, developed pneumonia and bronchitis which led to a severe case of ARDS (Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome) before getting tested for COVID-19. On March 15, more than two weeks after contracting the virus, Ibeth was finally tested. She tested positive – things took a turn for the worst. Without being too explicit, my mother has gone through: countless tests, a PICC line, intubation, multiple bronchoscopies, a rotating bed to loosen liquid in her lungs, put into an induced coma for a week, and then put on a new life-saving machine, ECMO, which helps failing lungs. My mother’s chances of survival were very slim.

 I thank God for saving my mother. Also, I would like to thank all the wonderful medical professionals who have been working diligently to save her life during this challenging time.

Currently the prognosis is looking better and Ibeth has now tested negative for the virus. However, due to the traumatic experience she has been through, Ibeth, is also struggling physically and mentally. Ibeth has ongoing physical therapy to regain gross and fine motor skills, has developed severe anxiety, and is still on the long road to recovery. My family and I have been struggling because we cannot visit her as hospitals are not allowing visitors during this global pandemic.

 Reportedly, she was considered one of the MOST SEVERE nonfatal cases of COVID-19. Ibeth was the first coronavirus victim to survive coming off ECMO in the United States and only the fourth person worldwide. She has been hospitalized since March 9th, 2020. My family is now facing a large financial burden due to my mother being denied worker’s compensation. Because Ibeth was denied worker’s compensation from Stonetrust Commerical Insurance Co., from Baton Rouge, LA, we are respectfully asking for prayers and donations. We are hoping to raise $300,000 in the coming months as bills accumulate. We appreciate anything you are able to give at this time. My mom has given so much to the community and cared for many lives and I would love to see the community give back to her. If you would like to contact or find other ways to give, please contact Alexandra Carpenter at: [email redacted].
 

We love you mom.
 

-The Carpenter Family