Let's get Katie back on her feet!

Katie Breece and I became best friends as freshman roommates at the University of Puget Sound. We both knew it would be a good start to college when we were assigned to dorm room #333, 3 being both of our favorite numbers, but I don't think either of us expected we'd be life-long friends. We bonded over our shared love of the color grey, having birthdays just four days apart (and in the second week of school), our need for organization, and our commitment to dive head first into college. That's who Katie is. She's never been a passive participant in anything; she's one to make a plan, to take on leadership positions, and to face challenges head on. If she's involved, it's at the highest level possible, and that's been true even in the most difficult of circumstances.

On January 17th, Katie suffered a major stroke which initially left her without most of her speech or ability to move independently. After two surgeries, Katie began her initial recovery spending 6 weeks in the hospital for speech, physical, and occupational rehab therapies. She regained basic speech and movement on her left side, and after a lot of work, movement in her right leg with the help of a leg brace. Katie has been home for a few weeks and continues to work hard at recovery. Her boyfriend, Brett, and her parents are with her and she's been able to start outpatient therapy, neurologist visits, and speech and physical exercises at home. In true Katie-fashion, she wants to do everything herself and is always aiming for better progress--even though everyone agrees her progress is nothing short of amazing.

While Katie is home now and working hard at recovery, it's a long road ahead. Katie is the most financially responsible person I know (budgets may or may not be a weekly conversation topic for us) and luckily she has decent insurance (at least right now), but the cost of any major medical issue adds up quickly and Katie's path forward will not be simple.  In addition to the speech, physical, and occupational therapies that Katie continues to regain her speech and movement, much of the specialized care that she will need is not covered by insurance. There are also a lot of expenses as Katie adapts her daily life to her recovery--things like new shoes that fit her leg brace and apps that help her practice her speech, independently from home. It will likely be months, if not years, before Katie's road levels out, and while she will gladly accept Costco muffins and homemade desserts, what Katie really needs is financial support. Anything you are able to give will enable Katie to continue receiving the best care and focusing on her recovery.

Please help Katie and her family as they navigate medical bills, specialists, and everyday expenses so that she can get back on her feet as soon as possible. Thank you for any support you can give to one of the most stubborn, organized, generous, and well-intentioned people I've ever known who deserves so much better than the deck of cards life handed her this year.