Teacher Sheila has been teaching young children with patience, love, kindness and a good dose of silliness for the last 25years.  Much of that time was spent working with 2 year olds at The Family School, a preschool in the downtown Phoenix area that serves a diverse population of children and families throughout the metro area.

A few years ago Sheila was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease called Inclusion Body Myositis (IBM).  IBM causes progressive weakness in the muscles that affect Sheila's strength and muscle control.  Sheila needs the aid of a walker to get around and is no longer able to drive on her own. 

Sheila had to leave the job she loved at The Family School, but was still determined to help young children.  Most recently she has been working  in the Cartwright School District as a Reading Interventionist at the John F. Long Elementary School.

Shortly before Christmas, Sheila had a fall at home.  She broke both of her legs and one ankle.  She had surgery to impant steel rods in both of her legs and screws in her ankle.  After  the surgery, she was transferred to Osborn Health and Rehabilitation.  She remains at the facility and is getting daily physical therapy in the hopes of returning home and back to the classroom.

Sheila's journey is not easy and her ability to return to work is uncertain.  Although she has insurance, she is facing signifcant medical bills including high co-pays and other incidentals.  In addition, she has on-going living expenses, like rent and utillity bills that she is struggling to cover.  Moreover, Sheila's home is not wheelchair accessible and some modifications will need to be made to allow her to return.

Sheila must pay a monthly co-pay to remain at the rehab facility.  With a change in her insurance that went into effect on 1-1-17, Sheila is required to pay $2000 before her insurance will cover costs for the skilled nursing facility.   This does not include all the other medical  bills for her surgery, hospital stay, doctors visits,  medication and medical equipment.  Her monthly rent is $800, but like her co-pays, rent is only one of her on-going monthly living expenses.

 After so many years of helping others, including countless hours of patience teaching children to read, learn how to be friends and approrpriately "use their words",  SHEILA NEEDS OUR HELP!

Sheila has made a difference in the lives of so many children.  Let's help make a difference in her life when she needs us the most.

Please consider a donation today to help with two things: 1)  her immediate medical bills to continue receiving rehabilitation care and 2) her rent so she has a home to return to when she is ready.