Support Katalina's Journey to Recovery After Spinal Injury

If you’d like to stay connected with Katalina’s journey or continue supporting her, we encourage you to visit her new foundation page here: http://bit.ly/44C5ffR.

JUNE 26 UPDATE

Hi all-

We’re writing to share a final update on this GoFundMe page, and to thank each and every one of you for the incredible support you’ve shown Katalina and our family over the past few months.

Words cannot express how grateful we are for your generosity, kindness, and encouragement. Because of your support, Katalina’s home in Maine has been made completely accessible for her- with the construction of a cedar walkway to the front, the installation of new ramps, and a lift to help her move safely between floors. Construction will be completed by July 1st, with a fully accessible 1st floor apartment and bathroom, giving her the comfort, independence, and safety she needs at home. A video of the ramp and lift has been shared on this page—this transformation wouldn’t have been possible without your help. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you.

Where Katalina is today:

On May 22nd, Katalina completed her 10 weeks of inpatient rehab at Spaulding and moved to a temporary apartment in Hampton Beach, NH. She immediately began an intensive 6 week rehabilitation at “Project Walk.” Katalina has continued to gain strength and mobility in both her legs and fingers. One of her most recent milestones is being able to contract her thigh muscles on command—an exciting sign of continued progress. She is also “scooching,” which is very helpful for transfers! Katalina will return home on July 1st, but continue therapy in New Hampshire three days a week. She and her parents REALLY look forward to being home!

What’s next:

As Katalina’s spinal cord injury is life-changing and long-term, we’ve made the decision to close this GoFundMe campaign and transition future updates and support to a more sustainable and mission-aligned platform: The “Katalina Echavarri Fund at the Thomas E. Smith Foundation”—an organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals living with spinal cord injuries and paralysis. Going forward, the Foundation’s Board will oversee the allocation of donations in accordance with its charitable mission, working in close consultation with Katalina’s family. Funds will support rehabilitation expenses, equipment, and other urgent needs not covered by insurance or other resources. Primarily, Katalina’s rehab therapy at Project Walk- which has been so valuable and with which she is making real improvement, is the family need- it is completely out of pocket.

If you’d like to stay connected with Katalina’s journey or continue supporting her, we encourage you to visit her new foundation page here: http://bit.ly/44C5ffR.

We remain in awe of Katalina’s strength, spirit, and determination. While her future will hold new challenges, it’s also full of possibility—and we know she’ll continue to meet it with courage and grace. Your support has made an immeasurable difference, and we hope you’ll continue to follow and cheer her on in the months and years ahead.

From our entire family: thank you. Your kindness has carried us through.

With love and gratitude,

Katalina and her family

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APRIL 23 UPDATE

Today, on Katalina’s 23rd birthday, we’re reflecting on just how far she’s come—and how far she still has to go.

Katalina has completed almost six weeks of intensive rehabilitation at Spaulding, and we expect her to remain for at least three more. Her doctors and all of her therapists are impressed with her incredible progress, and we are actively advocating for additional time to help her build on the momentum she’s worked so hard to achieve.

If you’d like to read more about Katalina’s recovery, we encourage you to visit her CaringBridge page for detailed updates. Today’s post is focused on what comes next—Katalina’s life after rehab—and how we can all continue to support her.

Next Phase: Preparing for Home

Once Katalina is discharged from Spaulding, she’ll return to her parents’ home to continue her recovery journey. However, significant renovations are required to make their home safe, accessible, and supportive of her evolving needs. Her parents Bernie and Katharine are beginning a full renovation of their home’s lower level to create an accessible apartment for Katalina. This next chapter comes with a heavy financial burden—between the costs of construction and time away from work, the total expenses are expected to reach $75,000-$100,000.

Here’s what your donations would directly support:

How You Can Help

To mark Katalina’s birthday and launch this next phase of fundraising, we’re setting a new goal: $50,000 in the next two weeks, with the intention of increasing the target to $75,000 as momentum builds.

Every dollar raised will help ease the burden on Katalina’s family and give her the tools, space, and dignity she deserves as she continues her recovery.

Please consider sharing this campaign with your networks. Your support—whether financial, emotional, or simply spreading the word—means the world to Katalina and her family. You have already lifted her up during the hardest chapter of her life, and we are endlessly grateful.

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The Accident

On Friday, February 21, 22-year-old Katalina Echavarri suffered a horrific accident while skiing. She was transported via helicopter to Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor, Maine.

After undergoing two intensive surgeries to repair her spine, we are heartbroken to learn that her spinal cord was damaged and she currently has no feeling below her waist. While she is still recovering on a ventilator at Eastern Maine Medical Center and the full extent of the damage to her spinal cord remains unknown, she is growing stronger every day. In a few days, we hope she will be breathing on her own and will then be transferred to Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Boston, where she will begin the long journey to recovery.

A few words about Katalina: She is a true ray of sunshine. Full of energy and life, she can always be counted on to brighten any room with her positive mindset, bubbly personality, wit, and charm. Always an animal lover, she had just adopted a kitten with her loving boyfriend Paul and was set to graduate from Bowdoin College this spring. She was weighing the pros and cons of pursuing a career in law or social work, and that alone tells you all you need to know - she strives to help those in need and make the world better.

While Katalina has a long road ahead, she is a true fighter. She's always been tenacious and determined, and we know that this life-altering event cannot dampen her passion for life and infallible spirit.

And we're ready to join in her this fight. All donated money will help offset both her medical bills and her rehabilitation at Spaulding, which will likely last at least six months. The daunting costs associated with the treatment and support needed for Katalina to make a full recovery are an otherwise insurmountable hurdle for her family to overcome. We appreciate you taking time to learn about Katalina's story and we thank you for whatever contribution you can make to help make our family healthy and whole. No contribution is too small - all donations are welcome and appreciated