Support Sara's Recovery and Christian's Care

Hello, my name is Kathleen Sullivan-Horne. In 1980, my parents adopted my sister, Sara, from Korea. She was found wandering the streets by Korean police at the guesstimated age of 3. Our parents even got to “make up” a birth date for her because it was unknown! She is Deaf, and American Sign Language is her primary (and beautiful) language.

Sara is the primary and sole caregiver for her 13-year-old son named Christian. Sara and Christian lost Christian’s dad (aged 47) unexpectedly in July of 2024.

Fast forward to the present time. On March 25 (just one day after her birthday) of this year, Sara took herself to the emergency room thinking she was having an asthma attack. The issue was much more critical than she realized. Her lungs were in terrible shape, and she was diagnosed with pneumonia. The pneumonia caused her heart to be “stunned,” and she went into cardiac arrest. Thanks to God’s grace, she was revived. She was transferred to Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh. Sara was put in a medically induced coma, life support (ECMO machine and a ventilator). After making very slow but steady progress, she is off of the ECMO machine but remains on the ventilator. After a month in Pittsburgh (but what seems like eternity), she has been transferred to a long-term care facility here in Erie, PA.

Since Sara has been in this critical state, our sister Beth Trick and her family have been the primary caregivers for Christian. Others have been taking him in and out and about from time to time, too. However, Beth and her family have been taking the brunt of the responsibility. With one car and a very modest income, it has been extremely challenging for them. Christian is a big kid. A growing boy. He eats a lot! We are trying to keep him active and work on getting him out and about to the YMCA or to volunteer with a family friend’s sporting events, for example. We are looking into getting some help from the state. They said they can perhaps help with food stamps and possibly help with her electric bill, for starters. We are hoping this is where you come in. We are feeling stretched thin and running on E! According to the doctors at AGH, it could be up to a year before Sara can care for and support Christian financially. Any monetary donation to help us keep up with the unexpected (and expected!) financial responsibilities that have come up (especially for Beth and her family) at this time would be so greatly appreciated. It takes a village. Thank you for taking the time to read this and for any help you can provide.