Hi, my name is Lee Ann and my life changed suddenly on April 27th. I woke to some weakness in my thighs and by the end of the afternoon, around 6PM, I went to stand and couldn't. I was rushed via ambulance to University of Louisville Hospital trauma center for evaluation. After 4 MRIs, 2 CTs, and some additional ultrasounds, it was determined I required surgery on my back, at T1-2. At this point, I could still wiggle my toes, move my legs a little bit ( very little!), and knew when I had to go to the bathroom.

On Sunday, they performed a Laminectomy of that area and removed bone, bone spurs, etc. to allow additional space for my spinal cord. Post surgery, I've since lost the ability to move my legs at all, know when I have to use the restroom, or have any feelings in my legs. I'm told that due to the spinal cord swelling post surgery, over the next 3/6/9 months, I should improve, but may not.

After several days in the hospital, I was moved to Fraser Rehab to learn to manage my new diagnosis - paraplegia. Scary word, isn't it? It's also a new and scary world for me. I spent a month in Fraser learning how to navigate in a power wheelchair, use a slide board, and balance sitting up since I can't feel my butt or hips, let alone control either of them.

To top it all off? I started a new job on 04/17 and my short term disability benefits didn't kick in until 05/01 so I didn't get paid for the month of May - at all. To support myself and my family, I had to take out a small loan - $14,000. This allowed me to pay my bills, make modifications to my home (more on that later), and support my daughter, who had to quit her job to help take care of me.

However, my problem is, I have no definitive answers on if I'll even get feelings or use of my legs, ever again. I'm continuing Outpatient Physical and Occupational Therapy at Fraser and am working hard to improve. To get there, I also had to buy an accessible vehicle to transport my wheelchair 3x/week, plus doctor appointments, or going to any work functions. That was another $23,000 expense I really can't afford.

I never thought I'd be in a position to ask for help like this, I always had my Mom to help, but I lost her in 2021. I've always been the one helping others so I'm hoping the universe can return the favor. So here I am, begging the universe to offer whatever help is out there, even if it's just sharing the post to all their followers.

So I need help - anything you can spare, even if it's just sharing my story and praying, would be much appreciated. There are additional home modifications that are required - i.e., shower modifications - I would be forever grateful and will pay any blessings forward, once I'm back on my feet (pun intended ;-)). Bless you all and my utmost thanks.