Help Maddison Walk Again: Support Her Recovery

Hi Everyone, meet Maddison Scholz! She is the 5-year-old blessing to Sherri and Woody Scholz and was adopted at birth on May 2, 2019. In July 2021, at the age of 2, Maddison woke up paralyzed from the pelvis down, diagnosed with a condition called Transverse Myelitis. Since the diagnosis, Maddison was slowly progressing through continual rehabilitation at Shirley Ryan Ability Lab in Chicago (over 2 hours away) but would never walk normally again. She was continuing rehabilitation while wearing Ankle Foot Orthotics, but her progress was barely measurable. A heart-wrenching decision by her parents and doctors concluded that Maddison would need spinal surgery to have a chance at walking without assistance, with hopes of leading a normal life. Sherri left her position as a hairstylist for over 20+ years with Great Clips in Lemont and Minooka to care for her daughter as her rehabilitation would be very cumbersome, time-consuming, and a lot of travel. On Friday, November 8, 2024, Maddison underwent a spinal procedure called Posterior Rhizotomy at Lurie Children’s Hospital to correct this disabling result of an onset paralysis condition named Transverse Myelitis. The surgery was successful!! Maddison will remain at Lurie Children’s Hospital for several days and then be transferred back to Shirley Ryan in Chicago where she will undergo about 6-10 weeks of in-patient therapy to learn how to walk again. When her progress is satisfactory, she will be released to go back home. She is expected to need 2 years of outpatient therapy at Shirley Ryan in Chicago 3-4 days per week. The Scholz Family lives in Coal City, IL. Maddison has a long road ahead and the emotional, psychological, and financial burden on this family is immeasurable. Additionally, Woody Scholz was let go from his employment as a truck driver on the same day Maddison entered Shirley Ryan for in-patient pre-surgery strengthening physical therapy. Their medical insurance is in jeopardy and they are now forced to utilize COBRA, which is very expensive.

Please take a moment to digest this tragic situation. This is a tremendous burden for a family in need. We are asking for donations to help the Scholz Family during their financial struggles while they focus on the health of their child. Every little bit helps. Anything you can give would be a blessing. The money will go for medical costs, lodging, transportation, and household expenses until they get back on their feet again.

Thank you for considering helping a family in need.