Hope for Selah Medical Fund

Hi Friends and Family,

In less than 1 week our family will travel to Florida for extensive specialized surgery for Selah. We'll be there for the majority of July. Folks have asked how they can help our family, so now is the time for us to be vulnerable and share.

Until now, the majority of medical expenses have been covered by Selah's two insurances. That won't be the case this time, and we expect significant out-of-pocket expenses. Additionally, our travel, food and supplies are up to us. We started 2023 expecting Selah to be back to her active self by Spring Break, but shockingly learned in late January that this was not possible. She needs 3 procedures to stabilize her bones, as they are each currently fracture risks and are weak. Surgeons will remove hardware from her femur and tibia in her nubbie/amputated leg as well as her long right arm. They will then place slim rods within the canals of all three bones. The hope is that these can remain throughout her life, providing her stability and strength.

Since 2020 Selah has endured 8 surgical sites, most of them related to her orthopedic needs. As it turns out, several of these procedures resulted in the weakening of her bones in both her amputated leg and her right arm. She's had 2 traumatic femur breaks and has not been allowed to jump, run or play with any impact in 2 years. For such an active, athletic girl this has been difficult. Selah is naturally SO resilient and positive but honestly, these past 2 years have taken a toll on her physically, emotionally and spiritually. We hope that by the end of 2023, or early 2024 our girl will once again have full activity with no limitations! Your prayers and positive thoughts are welcome for this outcome.

Plans for Karen to be back working for additional income have not been possible due to Selah's continual medical appointments, PT etc. She will require extensive care after these upcoming procedures and will have many follow-up appointments for months to come. We are thankful that Karen has been so available to meet these needs as of late, but finances are often tight. This situation will be a hard hit to our savings but the hope of having our girl back to her active thriving self is priceless to us.

Any $ from this fundraiser will be thoughtfully spent on expenses related to this Florida medical situation. We are SO blessed to have a large community of love and support for Selah, many of whom have yet to meet her. Any donations are SO impactful, regardless of $5 or $50.

Other ways to help:

-Pray for Selah's pain management and emotional well being

-Share this GoFundMe within your circles

-Send Selah a hand written card or piece of art. She treasures these! (message for address)

We are so grateful for your precious support. Please feel free to share this within your networks and circles.

With gratitude and HOPE,

The Gilberts