Sarah’s Medical Expenses

Update (May 25, 2023)

On May 23 ,2023, at exactly 1:49pm, I was wheeled out of Kent Regency Rehabilitation Center by the best daddy anyone could ask for. After almost two long, incredibly long months, I am so incredibly happy to be home, surrounded by the four walls that I grew up in. I still have a very long road ahead of me; I now have an at-home nurse, and a physical therapist & occupational therapist. However, I am so happy to say I still have movement in my toes, and now I can almost move both of my feet entirely in to my ankles (which is a huge improvement)! 

 I still have yet to get outside to see my sheep, I’m sure that will be quite an emotional experience as seeing them out the window brings a couple of tears. This entire experience over the last two months has been an absolute eye experience for me, because you never truly know what you have until it’s really just about taken from you- literally in the blink of an eye. I am so grateful for my family, my dad, as always was by my side, every single day. 

Although I don’t remember the first two weeks of my hospital stay, once I was more cognizant, I remember waking up to my dad just holding my hand, sitting next to me, and he was just always there. Every night after work, my dad was there, if I called him and needed him- my dad was there. My sister Amanda Morin came all the way from Virginia to spend an entire week with me when I was in the rehab facility, she fought and advocated for me in ways most wouldn’t understand, and most of all she was just there to listen and be a friend. And my mommy (Debbie McCormick), although she couldn’t be there physically due to her own health issues &me forcing her to stay home because I’m too protective of her being in gross medical facilities, she FaceTimed me every single morning, and texted me throughout the day. She is my superhero, day in and day out. 

 My partner Kim, Kim, how do I even start this… Kim deserves an award, some kind of gold medal, maybe a new car (like people are given on game shows)… Because Kim was by my side everyday through this nightmare; every waking moment that Kim wasn’t working, this woman was by my side. And I couldn’t be anymore thankful for her, because without Kim (and of course my family), I truly don’t think I would have made it through even the hospital stay, Nevermind the rehab facility. Kim handled all of the last two months with such grace, she was so calming and helpful, she was and is everything I honestly need by my side in a partner. I love you such much. Life is so wonderful with you in my world. ♥️

While I was in Rhode Island Hospital, Kent Regency Rehab, and even just being home for the last two days, I have never felt so supported by my friends and family. My support system is truly so incredible. There was not a single day in the last two months, that I didn’t have a friend/family member visit me- as well of my dad and Kim coming as well. They brought me coloring books, legos, junk food, endless amounts of coffee, flowers, cards, contributions to the GoFundMe page etc. The plant sale at EWG contributions that were donated to me as well which was such an amazing surprise, a huge thank you to Kathryn Kocab Fletcher and Alicia Cranston! ***(P.S. There is a segment on Channel 10 News tonight about me that starts around 5:40pm if you would like to watch that was recorded at the plant sale)!*** 

 Thank you to all of you, every single person in the last two months who reached out, and visited, and sent even a card- you were able to put a smile on my face, and you helped me through my hardest days. Here’s to hitting the ground “wheeling”, working hard & getting back up on my feet. I love all of you and I’m so appreciative of all of your continued support ♥️

Update (May 8, 2023):  

Sarah and I are so humbled and appreciative of the outpouring of love, support and donations! The cost of home modifications, medical equipment and therapies, as well as existing bills and the cost of living are quite expensive, so we’re still hoping to meet our goal. Keep sharing and getting Sarah’s story out there. We love and appreciate you all!

As some of you may know, Sarah has been chronically ill for the last three years. On June 10, 2020, Sarah started having idiopathic anaphylactic episodes, landing her in the hospital for anywhere from a couple of days to a week at a time. She was diagnosed with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome after an entire year of no answers but months of hospitalization stays. To this day, Sarah has been diagnosed with several autoimmune diseases, heart disease, and several other neurological diseases.

In April 2023, Sarah suffered from one of her idiopathic anaphylactic episodes (stemming from her mast cell activation syndrome). While in the ICU at Rhode Island Hospital, she became critical and under went cardiac arrest, requiring CPR- during that time her sternum and three ribs broke however she was resuscitated thankfully and intubated immediately. After a few days, she was extubated; she was still very unstable and kept in the ICU for 21 days total. While in the icu during those 21 days, she was found to have become paralyzed bilaterally in her legs. It was decided it was unsafe for her to go home once her anaphylactic episodes subsided as she had a broken sternum and the paralysis of her legs, and she was moved to a rehabilitation home.

Sarah has been at Kent Regency Rehabilitation in Warwick Rhode Island for about two weeks now, her legs are still paralyzed and her sternum is more painful than ever. She doesn’t have any memory of the first two weeks of her hospitalization in the ICU or even days before. This entire experience has been truly a nightmare and she has never been so scared, sad and exhausted. But she tries to remind herself everyday of the endless amounts of love and support that surrounds her, and that has gotten her through the last month and a half. Right now we don’t have many answers, we don’t have any idea of if or when her legs will work again, but we are hopeful. She will be in the rehab facility until she is a bit stronger but will be discharged from here in a wheel chair as the medical staff here are not too optimistic that Sarah will be able to walk in the future. We are starting this GoFundMe to collect funds for medical expenses and for medical equipment that will be needed for Sarah’s future. Sarah is also working with a palliative care doctor to manage her pain currently and going forward. We are so appreciative of all of the continuous support that we are receiving, thank you times a million. We love you all. ♥️