Rhonda Needs HELP!!!!
Donation protected
I have a dear friend who has played many roles not only in my life, but the lives of my children, children at our church and hundreds of students at various schools. She has had such a positive impact on the lives of so many children who are now adults, and continues to develop the musical and artistic gifts of her students at school. In spite of very serious health issues for the past 10 years, many of which have been life threatening, she continues to forge ahead and is determined to return to her classrooms and the students that she loves so much. My friend, my professional colleague, my co-worker, my former Youth Pastor is Rhonda Harrell. She has helped us tirelessly over the decades and now she needs our help.
She was diagnosed with Devic's Disorder (Neuromyelitis Optica-NMO) 10 years ago. Devic’s Disorder is an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS) that predominantly affects the optic nerves and spinal cord. It is often confused with multiple sclerosis (MS). She has endured many challenges in the past 10 years, which include being blind three times, losing the use of her hands four times and losing the use of one of her legs on four separate occasions. Despite all of these obstacles, she has continued to work in a profession that captivates her heart, working with children as a music teacher.
Her current bout with Devic’s has been the most difficult to endure because she has been unable to stand or walk for over 16 months.
In August 2015, for the first time ever, BOTH of her legs became paralyzed. The paralysis caused her to get a pressure ulcer on her heel, which unfortunately became infected to the bone (Osteomyelitis). The severity of the infection could have resulted in amputation of her right foot, but thankfully in February 2016 surgery was successful and her foot has saved. The recovery process from this surgery has meant that Rhonda cannot stand or bear weight on her feet at all. Despite this, in August 2016, she returned to work again in her wheelchair. She has actually taught her music classes from a wheelchair for the past 18 months. She works for an inner city school district as the music teacher at two different schools.
About six weeks after the beginning of this school year, Rhonda got a respiratory infection that exacerbated her condition. After a hospital stay, she was sent to a Skilled Nursing Facility for rehabilitation. With her breathing improved and her foot totally healed, her doctor released her to begin physical therapy and standing. Just when things are finally starting to look up, another set back! Physical therapy for Rhonda meant being placed in a Standing Machine. Upon being placed in the Stander, she immediately began to bear weight and her right foot began to spasm. In an effort to prevent herself from falling, Rhonda grasped the stander’s tray and held on. The attendant ran to get someone to help her as Rhonda clung to the tray of the Stander. Rhonda did not realize that her hand was injured as a result of the fall right away. As her hand continued to weaken and eventually lose all strength and ability to grasp, the staff attributed it to Devic’s disease and Rhonda reaching a plateau in recovery. However, because she knows her body and the way in which Devic’s manifests itself, continued to dispute their assumption.
Being able to stand and bear weight on your feet is directly related to one’s ability to push down with your hands as you support your upper body and balance yourself to stand. She is just now beginning to regain minimal strength in her right hand. However, because her rehabilitation progress has been so slow, her insurance company refuses to submit any additional payments, therefore, the skilled nursing facility plans to evict her in the next 30 days. Right now her bill is in excess of $12,000 and increasing daily. By the time she must leave the facility, her balance will be nearly $30,000. She has no choice but to remain in the facility because she is unable to stand and transfer her weight independently and requires assistance for all of her personal care and meal preparation. She wants nothing more than to regain her strength and independence and return to her students!! Rhonda Harrell, who has given so much to ALL of us her entire life, now needs our help!!! Please make a sacrifice and help with a donation!!!!!
She was diagnosed with Devic's Disorder (Neuromyelitis Optica-NMO) 10 years ago. Devic’s Disorder is an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS) that predominantly affects the optic nerves and spinal cord. It is often confused with multiple sclerosis (MS). She has endured many challenges in the past 10 years, which include being blind three times, losing the use of her hands four times and losing the use of one of her legs on four separate occasions. Despite all of these obstacles, she has continued to work in a profession that captivates her heart, working with children as a music teacher.
Her current bout with Devic’s has been the most difficult to endure because she has been unable to stand or walk for over 16 months.
In August 2015, for the first time ever, BOTH of her legs became paralyzed. The paralysis caused her to get a pressure ulcer on her heel, which unfortunately became infected to the bone (Osteomyelitis). The severity of the infection could have resulted in amputation of her right foot, but thankfully in February 2016 surgery was successful and her foot has saved. The recovery process from this surgery has meant that Rhonda cannot stand or bear weight on her feet at all. Despite this, in August 2016, she returned to work again in her wheelchair. She has actually taught her music classes from a wheelchair for the past 18 months. She works for an inner city school district as the music teacher at two different schools.
About six weeks after the beginning of this school year, Rhonda got a respiratory infection that exacerbated her condition. After a hospital stay, she was sent to a Skilled Nursing Facility for rehabilitation. With her breathing improved and her foot totally healed, her doctor released her to begin physical therapy and standing. Just when things are finally starting to look up, another set back! Physical therapy for Rhonda meant being placed in a Standing Machine. Upon being placed in the Stander, she immediately began to bear weight and her right foot began to spasm. In an effort to prevent herself from falling, Rhonda grasped the stander’s tray and held on. The attendant ran to get someone to help her as Rhonda clung to the tray of the Stander. Rhonda did not realize that her hand was injured as a result of the fall right away. As her hand continued to weaken and eventually lose all strength and ability to grasp, the staff attributed it to Devic’s disease and Rhonda reaching a plateau in recovery. However, because she knows her body and the way in which Devic’s manifests itself, continued to dispute their assumption.
Being able to stand and bear weight on your feet is directly related to one’s ability to push down with your hands as you support your upper body and balance yourself to stand. She is just now beginning to regain minimal strength in her right hand. However, because her rehabilitation progress has been so slow, her insurance company refuses to submit any additional payments, therefore, the skilled nursing facility plans to evict her in the next 30 days. Right now her bill is in excess of $12,000 and increasing daily. By the time she must leave the facility, her balance will be nearly $30,000. She has no choice but to remain in the facility because she is unable to stand and transfer her weight independently and requires assistance for all of her personal care and meal preparation. She wants nothing more than to regain her strength and independence and return to her students!! Rhonda Harrell, who has given so much to ALL of us her entire life, now needs our help!!! Please make a sacrifice and help with a donation!!!!!
Organizer
Rhonda Overcoming
Organizer
Cleveland, OH