Details:

On Sept 16, 2021 Shira had a heart attack, fell backwards and hit her head as she fell. The resultant brain bleed caused excessive pressure and other damage to her brain.

Thankfully the heart attack was not very severe and Shira’s heart condition was rapidly brought under control. The brain bleed however required that Shira spend over a month in the ICU unit on a ventilator. Shira underwent 3 brain surgeries where coils were placed in the blood vessels of her brain to prevent further bleeding.

As Shira regained consciousness, she was unable to talk or communicate and the left side of her body was motionless, and we feared paralyzed. She was unable to feed herself or take care of her personal hygiene needs. The ventilator was eventually replaced with a trach-tube, and over time even this was removed as Shira healed and continued that amazing drive she has to overcome an injury. She did this for decades for others and now, ironically, it is her turn.

Her friends know that Shira is not one to be kept down, and today she is off the ventilator, talking coherently, and taking her first steps with a walker. She has use of all her limbs and the paralysis that was feared is no longer a concern. However, she needs trained, qualified, quality rehabilitation in order to heal and be independent to some degree.

Many people know Shira from her 30 years in sports medicine as an athletic trainer at Bloomfield High School. She cared for the injuries, pain, and recovery of these young athletes. More importantly to Shira was detecting and preventing injuries to these students. It was a great career and job and she reminisces about all the young athletes she has known and helped.

Shira moved to Guam to start her leisure years and instantly noticed a complete lack of athletic trainers in the sports scene in Guam. She quickly started working with many of Guam’s aspiring athletes; from wrestlers to runners and from baseball to football she has been aiding Guam’s athletes. From being an umpire and score keeper to personalized training, Shira has tried to improve the sports scene in Guam. Shira started up the first concussion prevention and identification program in Guam for the athletes and schools.

Shira also started her own business in Guam, “Shira’s Orthotics” making individualized orthotics to fit the varied foot conditions of anyone in need in Guam, not just the athletes. The benefits of personally measured, formed, and designed orthotics gave Shira great pride.

Shira has spent a lifetime helping others recover from their injuries. Now, she needs help to recover from her injuries. Shira will not be kept down. Over the last 2 months she has regained her speech, regained the use of the left side of her body, started to relearn how to walk and care for herself. Shira keeps pushing herself forward, just like she instructed the athletes she has helped over the decades to do. She has the will and drive to recover, and she knows what hurdles she is facing; and she will overcome them.

Treatment:

Shira needs good rehabilitation and unfortunately this is simply not available in Guam. Shira is trying to relocate to the Detroit, Michigan area and enter a rehab center. This is where she will have the support of family and friends that she has enjoyed for over 50 years.

It is Shira’s turn to be the patient. After treating injuries to hundreds of athletes over the years, she now needs help to get over her injuries.

Donations and Fundraising:

Unfortunately, Shira has no health insurance. In Guam health insurance for individuals, is practically impossible to get. She will need to pay for the rehabilitation facility and trainers for quite some time. Travel funds have already been arranged/donated and we are very grateful for this.

All money donated and raised will go directly to paying her medical and rehabilitation services, equipment, and/or accessibility requirements.

We appreciate anything you can give and thank you for your support of our sister and our Monday night football protagonist.