Pedi OT Student to Patient-Holly Zechner Med Fund

My sister is a 30-year-old who was healthy one year ago. She hiked with her dog nearly every weekend, tossed her nephews into the air to solicit bursts of uncontrollable belly laughter and was one of those crazy people who enjoyed running. Growing up, she was known for her laid-back nature and infectious smile. When I describe her, I say she is my sparkly introvert. She is the kind of person who is proof that you don’t need to be the loudest to light up a room. She is kind, smart, courageous, driven, trustworthy, the last to complain and the first to come up with a solution - overall, a person of incredible character. Though I’m older, she has always been my moral compass and best confidant.

These qualities are likely how she found herself sacrificing her twenties to pursue a masters degree in Occupational Therapy with the dream of helping others gain the independence they need to participate in activities they love. While in this rigorous graduate program at night, she spent her days working full time, helping children with physical disabilities to regain function. Holly has spent the majority of her adult life thus far in service to others and has been an inspiration and constant reminder to those around her to pay it forward.

After four years of hard work and studying, Holly was just a few months shy of finishing her masters program when she started having difficulties walking due to stiffness in her legs. Symptoms quickly progressed, affecting her vision, ability to use her arms and hands, and ability to articulate speech. These devastating symptoms landed Holly in the hospital for multiple stays trying to find a diagnosis. After running (what seemed like endless) tests over months and seeing various specialists, she has been diagnosed with cerebellar ataxia due to an unknown autoimmune response. She was getting weekly steroid treatments via IV to hold her condition at bay. She has begun intensive chemotherapy to squash whatever the mystery antagonizer is in her body. With hopes of regaining some function and remaining as independent as possible, she will continue to work weekly with a physical therapist and speech pathologist and invest in expensive adaptive equipment.

After a year of multiple hospital stays and countless tests, we are setting up a GoFundMe to help take the financial burden of medical expenses off Holly. We want to allow her to focus on the road ahead as she fights to navigate her condition, regain function and find quality of life. Donations will be greatly appreciated and alleviate an added stressor in Holly's life.

*We ask that people do not reach out to Holly directly. This has been a major life change and can be difficult to discuss. Please feel free to send love and support on this page.