Helping Sabina

Sabina has been beating the odds her entire life. Having been born with an extreme form of Spina Bifida, she has been a wheelchair user since she was a toddler and has had to endure the countless complications, surgeries and lengthy hospitalizations that come with being born with a physical disability. Twenty years ago, in a surprise to almost everyone, she was also diagnosed with – and survived – acute myelogenous leukemia (most likely brought on by the numerous x-rays she has had to have over the course of her life), and was later also confronted with salivary gland cancer, which has also been treated. In 2014, her kidneys failed and she now gets dialysis five days a week. Despite her challenges, at the age of 57, Sabina remains one of warmest and most persevering people many of us have had the pleasure of knowing. She is an incredibly supportive wife to her husband, Peter, an amazing sister and daughter, and has given more love than one can imagine possible to her sweet dogs Gracie, Shadoe, Bajor, and Aquiel, all of whom have crossed the rainbow bridge. As many who have met her over the years can attest, she also has never passed on an opportunity to help those in need around her.

Now, Sabina is facing a new set of challenges. In November 2021, Sabina needed massive surgery on her upper spine to prevent paralysis in her upper body, which was followed by an intensive and lengthy rehabilitation. In January of 2023, in a terrifying moment, we almost lost her due to a combination of sepsis and limited vein access for her kidney dialysis. The toll that these events have taken have triggered the onset of lymphedema throughout her body. Despite all the challenges she has already faced, Sabina says this is one of the most frustrating obstacles she has ever faced because of the degree to which it limits her overall mobility. The presence of lymphedema, for instance, makes transfers to her wheelchair almost impossible on her own, and causes nausea and exhaustion on a daily basis.

Under these circumstances, Sabina requires daily support from a home health aide. For two years, we as a family, have been happily paying for this and would happily continue to do so without end. However, we have come to face the reality that our resources for this are drying up and insurance does not provide coverage. For Sabina to be able to continue living at home, we have to find new ways to fund this, as well as some of the extra supplies and medication she needs daily. We are very worried about what will happen in a few months, when our resources are completely gone.

Where the money will go

As of 2026, we pay $625.00 per week (approximately $2708.00 per month) for the home health aide. The extra supplies and medication come to about $400.00 per month. We hope to raise enough money to cover the costs of a year’s worth of care, extra supplies and extra medication for Sabina. This totals $37,300.00. This extra support will give us some time to explore more funding options in the future and to create a plan so that we can rely on ourselves again as much as possible in the years that follow.

Thank you so much in advance!

This has been a hard step for us to take, and we know that everyone is experiencing extra pressure these days. We would be so grateful for any help you can provide so that we can continue to support Sabina! Please share this fundraiser with anybody who know who might be able to help!