Katy is a funny, sweetly sarcastic 16-year-old girl who loves art, choir, world history, music, and human rights. On Thursday, May 15, after experiencing numerous adverse reactions to a medical procedure, Katy suffered a catastrophic stroke. She had to be flown from her hometown to Oregon Health and Science University Hospital in Portland, where she was sedated and placed on a ventilator. She now faces not only a fight for her life, but one for her quality of life.

Since being admitted, Katy has undergone a craniotomy to relieve pressure due to swelling in her brain and is now being treated for a blood clot in her lung. She is looking at weeks to months of recuperation in the hospital before being released, at which time she is going to need extensive physical, occupational, and speech therapies. After being discharged, most of the services she will need are located in Portland, five hours from her home.

Katy dreams of one day becoming a mortician and a mom. She shares an unbreakable bond with her brother, Will, and has a very close relationship with her parents. Her family being by her side is crucial to her recovery as their support and love will be needed to pull her through this hard time.

Expenses are increasing at a very rapid pace, and the family has no way to keep up. Katy and her family would appreciate any help that people are able to give.