Main fundraiser photo

Sheila's Screwed! (Arthroscopy/PAO)

Sheila and I have taught, created, and performed together for several years. Over this time, I have gotten to know her as a coworker, friend and mover. I am continously awed by the way she uses movement, humor, and absurdity to connect with other humans. I will be supporting Sheila through her surgeries and recovery and welcome you to do the same. I can't wait to dance with her again! 

Sheila lives with hip dysplasia, a congenital disease that means her hip sockets do not cover her femur heads; this causes the joint to become painful, unstable, and completely dysfunctional over time.  After years of successfully navigating her life and work as a professional dancer, teacher, and psychotherapist, Sheila's hips have finally given out; she is in need of multiple surgeries on both hips.  Sheila will be undergoing 4-6 hip surgeries in the next year, including bilateral Periacetabular Osteotomies (PAO) and labral reconstructions.  The PAO surgery is a major operation during which the surgeon breaks the pelvis in three places, rotates the acetabulum to cover the femur head, and then uses  multiple screws to reassemble the joint.  While this surgery will hopefully preserve Sheila's joint, the recovery process is long and arduous, involving inpatient hospitalization and several months of intensive physical therapy.  

Because of the nature of her work as a psychotherapist and dancer, Sheila will be unable to work at all for at least 4 months, and will be off of full-time work for over a year.  The combination of loss of wages and medical/living expenses means that Sheila will need financial support in order to meet her basic and health needs over the next year.  Sheila's first surgeries (right side) will happen April 3rd and 17th 2018; ideally she will need the funds raised by May 1, 2018. If all goes well, she will have the left side operated on in December 2018.  The funds raised will help pay for medical and basic living expenses, and will enable Sheila to complete the rehabilitation required in order to be able to walk, work, and (hopefully) dance again. 

In addition to financial support, Sheila will also be in need of help with meals, transportation, and basic household chores.  She will also appreciate visitors once she is far enough along on her recovery. 

Thank you so much for your support - it will be great to get Sheila back on her feet (literally and figuratively)!!
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Donations 

  • Jessica Riggs
    • $50 
    • 6 yrs
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Organizer and beneficiary

Alberta Shulman
Organizer
Lafayette, CO
Sheila Klein
Beneficiary

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