Casey’s Mission: From wheelchair to walking

Casey was in a head on collision in November 2019 while working as a Physical Therapist and hasn’t been able to return to work since. What initially appeared to be straight forward injuries with a 2nd degree hand burn, a wrist sprain, concussion and thoracic compression fracture quickly spiraled out of control.  With symptoms worsening month by month, an MRI 4 months after the accident revealed a severely herniated cervical disc with significant spinal cord compression.  This was followed by episodes of progressive loss of right sided function beginning 2 months later.  In September of 2020, she underwent surgery to decompress the spinal cord and fuse the injured cervical level.  Despite the surgery removing the cord compression and relieving the agonizing pain and pressure and some of the neuropathic pain she had endured for many months, she has continued to have episodes of right sided functional decline.  Immediately after surgery, Casey endured a prolonged Inpatient Hospital stay, Acute Rehabilitation Hospital stay and 5 months of outpatient therapy to regain lost function.  On March 3rd, after having the most severe functional decline to date, she was rushed to the emergency room.  After a 2 week stay at Piedmont Hospital, she is now receiving intense rehabilitation at Shepherd Center in Atlanta.  Though currently unable to walk and confined to a wheelchair, she is FIERCE AND DETERMINED!  The doctors are leaving no stones unturned as they try to determine the cause of the continued decline BUT the medical bills are mounting and there are many equipment needs to be met.  Any contribution to helping Casey achieve her goal of getting back on her feet would greatly be appreciated at this time!  For those of you who truly know Casey, you know that she is active, energetic and athletic.  This accident has stripped Casey of everything she knows herself to be but there is one thing it has not stripped her of and that is her faith.
 
Directly from Casey: “Early on in this journey there were many angry prayers and ‘God where are you and why are you doing this to me questions’ I will honestly admit.  But, now looking back over the past 16 months, though I didn’t understand the MANY closed doors and unanswered prayers, I now CLEARLY see God’s hand and perfect timing in each and every step through this very long, hard journey to get me into the care of the incredible medical team I am with now.  God has brought me to my knees and continues to keep me there but I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that wherever this journey ends, walking or not, is EXACTLY where God intends for me to be.”

Psalm 27:13-14
I remain confident of this:  I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.