In the blink of an eye....

On Tuesday, June 18th our dear Sara Chew Hanson experienced a devastating fall from a ladder at home.  A 4WD ambulance was able to reach her and bring her into Kona.  The doctors knew her best option was to quickly be airlifted to Queens Medical Center in Honolulu.

Once there, the MRI confirmed our fears.  Chew fractured her T11 and T12 vertebrae, has lost the use of her lower body and is now adjusting to the diagnosis of paraplegic.

A foot long steel rod has been placed in her back to stabilize her spine.  There are other cuts and fractures which are healing, and a blood clot in her lungs which is being managed. 

When the doctors at Queens feel she is stable, she’ll be transferred to an in-patient Rehab program for PT and OT.  How long that will last isn’t known right now. 

The longer term outpatient rehab therapy so essential to good outcomes isn’t really available in Kona, so what is clear is that she and Richard will have to leave their amazing home, and will likely resettle in Washington.  The University of Washington has a well respected spinal cord rehab program.

Those of us who know Chew know that she is a goer and a doer...and it’s more than likely that our experience of her has been on the receiving end of her amazing generosity.  Maybe you know her as your exceptional, funny waitress at the coffee shack, or the woman who gives you a bag of her own organically grown coffee.  Maybe she feeds you a meal from her gardens, or gives you home made mead from her bee hive honey.  Maybe you’ve been the recipient of one her beautiful quilts to honor a milestone in your life. 
Or enjoyed a scrumptious pie from her early morning baking session. Maybe you’ve just had the privilege of experiencing the amazing home she and Richard have spent 25 years carving out of the jungle, built with love and sweat equity, into a place of gracious welcoming, farm to table hospitality accompanied by pupus and a glass of red wine!

Chew and Richard must now start a whole new life...it will be hard to leave jobs they both enjoy, the deep bonds with local friends family and neighbors .  They will do it with love , with strength, with commitment to the hard work ahead. 
Yet, as you can imagine they face considerable financial hurdles in addition to the physical and emotional challenges of having an entire life re-routed in the blink of an eye.

Your financial support can help them with focusing on getting  her into a high quality out patient rehab program, transportation, out of pocket medical expenses, needed equipment, home care....all the myriad things that will help Chew transition to a new fulfilling life.

She has an indomitable spirit and will and a heart of such generosity and kindness. Please, let’s emulate her. Let’s reciprocate the generosity.

Thank you for your love, healing prayers, and offering support to this woman who has made us laugh, and feel loved and welcome in her world...as a wife, a sister, a friend, an auntie, a neighbor...and inspiration to us all. 

As Chew says, be like her blood type: B+....Be positive!  (Meow!)


PS: Should any of you know someone who may be interested in buying a lovely 6 acre coffee farm with main house and guest quarters in Kona, Hawaii and all the amenities an off grid Ohana could need >> the introductions/ referrals would be welcome.