Help for Sarah's Recovery

While my beautiful daughter, Sarah Sandsted, was enjoying an evening with friends after a long workday in Haiti. She misjudged the depth of the pool and dove in.

The impact of her head hitting the underwater platform caused her to fracture 4 of her cervical vertebrae and shatter a 5th one. She was instantly paralyzed, losing control of her entire body, and floated to the surface, at which time her friends jumped in to save her.

After more than 24 hours lying in a Haitian hospital and over $30,000 in the initial medivac bills, she arrived at St Mary’s Hospital in West Palm Beach.

After a consult in the ER, it was determined that Sarah needed immediate surgery.

The surgeon was able to completely remove all the pieces of C5, the shattered vertebra, and replace it with a titanium vertebra and fused C4 and C6 to it.

Sarah’s surgeon said he was shocked that she did not end up completely paralyzed. Many were amazed she could even breathe on her own.

We are pleased to report she is not paralyzed! In fact, she is already walking and has been accepted into the hospital’s intensive rehab program.

Sarah is a miracle. But the road to recovery will be long. In addition to her initial medivac expenses, there will be tremendous medical costs not covered by her insurance. She will also need to modify her home to make it more accessible for her condition and recovery.

Sarah spent 16 years living and working in Haiti. For the last 9 years, she has worked alongside Julie Colombino-Billingham to build Deux Main, an ethical fashion company.

On behalf of my daughter and my family, I humbly ask that you join in supporting Sarah in this difficult time. We are so thankful for each of you. Your financial help and prayers mean the world to us.

Reenie Sandsted.