Kokua Heidi Smyser To Heal Her Spinal Cord Injury

Hi, my name is Heidi Smyser. On 1 Jan ‘24, while bodysurfing at Lawai Kai, I hit the bottom and broke my neck. Fortunately, there was a Canadian tourist couple near us who are EMTs. They and my partner pulled me out of the water and immediately began CPR. I also suffered three broken ribs while being resuscitated. I was taken to the local hospital but unfortunately I wasn’t able to receive the care I needed there so I was transported by air ambulance to Queen’s Hospital on Oahu. The next day I had spine surgery and I am pretty much non-ambulatory and I’ve lost my faculties, but apparently as inflammation recedes, these things may come back slowly with a regimen of rehabilitation, of course, so that’s what I’m doing at Rehab Hospital of the Pacific.

As of 12th January, I was transferred to Rehab Hospital of the Pacific in Nuuanu where I am currently recovering.

Please help me reach my goal of 45K to help with the rehabilitation process and other associated expenses such as wheelchair ramps and handicap equipment when I get HOME.

Mahalo and Aloha!