Summer's Journey continues...
Donation protected
Summer is many things. An incredible, single mother of two gorgeous kids(and two pups). A honest, hard-worker at our local credit union. A loving daughter and sister. A devoted girlfriend. A trusting friend. A true lover of life.
This past January, Summers world was turned upside down. She was rushed to the hospital after collapsing at home. After intense pain and a ton of testing, she was put into a chemically induced coma because of brain seizures. For days her loved ones were faced with the possibility of never seeing her open her eyes again. She then recieved a lumbar puncture, five ct-scans, and many more tests, After a three hour surgery for a brain biospy, she was diagnosed with with ADEM (Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis).
ADEM is a brief but intense attack of inflammation (swelling ) in the brain and spinal cord and occasionally the optic nerves that damages the brain's myelin (the white coating of nerve fibers). ADEM is sometimes difficult to distinguish from multiple sclerosis (MS) because the symptoms common to both "demyelinating" disorders include loss of vision, weakness, numbness and loss of balance. Both ADEM and MS involve immune-mediated responses to myelin in the brain and spinal cord.
Once she was taken out of the coma, Summer went through five rounds of plasma exchange. She is now faced with months of rehab. She lost all function of the right side of her body. She is unable to work for the foreseeable future. She has to learn small tasks like holding a pencil and writing her name. She has to learn large tasks like walking. She is going through physical therapy, occupational therapy and cognitive therapy.
Summer has been through hell and back, but her attitude shows nothing but gratitude and positivity. She is working hard to get back to her children. Most would be exhausted after seven hours of theraphy a day, but Summer continues her exercises on her off time with her goal of going back home in mind. She has already overcome paralysis of the face. Two weeks ago, she could not lift her right arm or leg and now she is feeding herself and standing up. Becuase of her perseverance, her progress is improving faster than anyone expected. She has been through so much, but the huge smile on her face would tell otherwise. She truely is an inspiration and her loved ones are so proud of her.
Please help my friend in any way you can. While she faces the hardest and most daunting recovery of her life, she is concerned about how she will support her two young children and keep a roof over their heads. On top of expensive medical bills, her worries are endless. If you can find it in your hearts to donate to this amazing family, we would be forever grateful. Any little bit helps. Thank you so much in advance.
This past January, Summers world was turned upside down. She was rushed to the hospital after collapsing at home. After intense pain and a ton of testing, she was put into a chemically induced coma because of brain seizures. For days her loved ones were faced with the possibility of never seeing her open her eyes again. She then recieved a lumbar puncture, five ct-scans, and many more tests, After a three hour surgery for a brain biospy, she was diagnosed with with ADEM (Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis).
ADEM is a brief but intense attack of inflammation (swelling ) in the brain and spinal cord and occasionally the optic nerves that damages the brain's myelin (the white coating of nerve fibers). ADEM is sometimes difficult to distinguish from multiple sclerosis (MS) because the symptoms common to both "demyelinating" disorders include loss of vision, weakness, numbness and loss of balance. Both ADEM and MS involve immune-mediated responses to myelin in the brain and spinal cord.
Once she was taken out of the coma, Summer went through five rounds of plasma exchange. She is now faced with months of rehab. She lost all function of the right side of her body. She is unable to work for the foreseeable future. She has to learn small tasks like holding a pencil and writing her name. She has to learn large tasks like walking. She is going through physical therapy, occupational therapy and cognitive therapy.
Summer has been through hell and back, but her attitude shows nothing but gratitude and positivity. She is working hard to get back to her children. Most would be exhausted after seven hours of theraphy a day, but Summer continues her exercises on her off time with her goal of going back home in mind. She has already overcome paralysis of the face. Two weeks ago, she could not lift her right arm or leg and now she is feeding herself and standing up. Becuase of her perseverance, her progress is improving faster than anyone expected. She has been through so much, but the huge smile on her face would tell otherwise. She truely is an inspiration and her loved ones are so proud of her.
Please help my friend in any way you can. While she faces the hardest and most daunting recovery of her life, she is concerned about how she will support her two young children and keep a roof over their heads. On top of expensive medical bills, her worries are endless. If you can find it in your hearts to donate to this amazing family, we would be forever grateful. Any little bit helps. Thank you so much in advance.
Organizer
Summer Leigh
Organizer
Myers Corner, NY