Sophie's Rehab
Donation protected
In November 2016 Sophie fell ill from bleeding on the brain (AVM) as result of a birth defect. She had surgery a week later which resulted in a stroke. She lost all mobility and feeling on the entire right side of her body. She spent six weeks in the hospital in intensive care and inpatient rehab and then two months in full time day rehab and then both of her insurance companies refused to pay for more rehab.
While Sophie can walk it is with a stilted gait that will cause potential knee and hip replacement. She has very limited movment of her right arm and hand. She cannot eat, write, or type with her right hand. She cannot do simple activities that require two hands such as tying her shoes.
Sophie was out of school for six months and did not complete her required classes of her junior year. But after a busy senior year and lots of math tutoring graduated on time with her class. Sophie's favorite activity was playing her flute which she cannot do as she doesnt have the motor skills in her right hand. Her dream was to become a surgeon, while she recognizes that may not be possible, she still wants to be in the medical field to compassionately help people who have been through difficult medical challenges.
Brain injuries require a special rehabilitation. The only places in Georgia that offer this rehab are CHOA Robotics and the Shephard Center. Shephard is not accepting new patients so Sophie attends CHOA. The cost after insurance is $30,000 a year for twice a week visits. We applied for medicaid but it doesn't cover the type of rehab she needs. We have found a treatment for brain injury and stroke where dormant brain circuits can be re-activated, even years after stroke or brain injury using an anti-inflammatory arthritis medicine. See the details at www.nrimed.com. It is not covered by insurance and costs $7500 a shot.
It is not easy asking for funds in this way but we hav eput our pride aside to try to get the best healthcare for Sophie so that she has the best chance for the life she has ahead of her.
While Sophie can walk it is with a stilted gait that will cause potential knee and hip replacement. She has very limited movment of her right arm and hand. She cannot eat, write, or type with her right hand. She cannot do simple activities that require two hands such as tying her shoes.
Sophie was out of school for six months and did not complete her required classes of her junior year. But after a busy senior year and lots of math tutoring graduated on time with her class. Sophie's favorite activity was playing her flute which she cannot do as she doesnt have the motor skills in her right hand. Her dream was to become a surgeon, while she recognizes that may not be possible, she still wants to be in the medical field to compassionately help people who have been through difficult medical challenges.
Brain injuries require a special rehabilitation. The only places in Georgia that offer this rehab are CHOA Robotics and the Shephard Center. Shephard is not accepting new patients so Sophie attends CHOA. The cost after insurance is $30,000 a year for twice a week visits. We applied for medicaid but it doesn't cover the type of rehab she needs. We have found a treatment for brain injury and stroke where dormant brain circuits can be re-activated, even years after stroke or brain injury using an anti-inflammatory arthritis medicine. See the details at www.nrimed.com. It is not covered by insurance and costs $7500 a shot.
It is not easy asking for funds in this way but we hav eput our pride aside to try to get the best healthcare for Sophie so that she has the best chance for the life she has ahead of her.
Organizer and beneficiary
Andrea Joy Casson Galiano
Organizer
Atlanta, GA
AJ Galiano
Beneficiary
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