Walk With Kayla: Recovering from Spinal Injury

*UPDATE 1/30/2025*

UPDATE AND URGENT PRAYER REQUEST FROM KAYLA: Life just isn't giving me a break! After some changes over the last couple of days my specialists and my health care team recommended for me to go to I the ER....and that's where it all starts AGAIN! The MRI unfortunately shows a new episode of Cauda Equina Syndrome causing additional paralysis and challenges related to Autonomic Dysreflexia. Unfortunately, I have been readmitted to the hospital and will be going for another emergent surgery in the morning and starting another long part of this unwanted medical journey. This is extremely scary, discouraging, and difficult to navigate so please be praying and sending strength my direction!!

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* UPDATE 1/10/2025*

Kayla is HOME! Below are her words I wanted to share with you all. Thank you for all your continued prayers and encouragement!

"After 37 days in the hospital I made the next step on this journey and got to go HOME ❤️ my walk out today was the farthest I have ever walked!!! Therapy and hard work will continue and I have no doubt progress will continue! I can't say thank you enough for all the prayers, love, text, visits and everything else so many of you have shown. This difficult journey isn't over but know i couldn't have got where I am without your encouragement!"

*UPDATE 1/1/2025*

Happy New Year family and friends! We are coming up on 1 month post-surgery. Kayla continues her recovery at the rehab hospital. Christmas and New Years were sure different this year, but Kayla (and all of us too!) is so grateful for the support she has received and everyone who has helped to to make sure she never feels alone.

Kayla is fighting hard and celebrating each little victory! She has finally received her AFO braces and been fit for her wheelchair, and her home healthcare boss has generously offered to build the wheelchair ramp here at the house. Today, Kayla was able to stand and walk 40 FEET during physical therapy! She is working hard towards meeting the goals that will allow her to come home and we are hopeful that she may get cleared by January 10th!

Progress is slow with spinal cord injuries, but progress is progress! Kayla continues to persevere and remain strong, making the best out of an extremely hard situation! Please keep the prayers going, and if you feel led to contribute financially, that continues to be one of her greatest needs.

Thank you all for your ongoing love and support!!!

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Hi family and friends,

We are reaching out to you on behalf of someone who means so much to all of us—Kayla Ellis.

As you know, Kayla is not just a daughter, sister, auntie, and friend; she is a dedicated social worker, a champion for child abuse prevention, and a passionate leader in the children’s ministry at her church. She has always been an advocate for others, pouring her heart into supporting those around her. Now, it’s our turn to rally around her as she faces an incredibly challenging time.

On December 5, 2024, Kayla lost use of her legs and was diagnosed with a very rare spinal condition, Cauda Equina Syndrome, which required critical emergency surgery. This spinal injury has resulted in significant medical costs, including two separate emergency room visits, emergency neurosurgery, over a week in the hospital, and now transfer to an inpatient rehabilitation hospital for an unknown period of time. Looking to the future, she will need to install special medical equipment in order to transition home, where she will continue rehabilitation with home healthcare before eventually progressing to outpatient rehabilitation. The surgeons have advised recovery typically takes a year or longer, and she is also expected to be out of work for several months. The road to recovery will be long and arduous, and her outcome is unknown, but those who know Kayla already know she will tackle it with an eye roll and a sparkling smile.

We urge you to support Kayla as she has always supported us. While Kayla's greatest need is financial, any contribution you can make—whether financial, raising her up in prayer, sending encouraging messages, or simply sharing this message with your community—will go a long way in helping her through this difficult journey.

Let’s come together to show Kayla the love and support she has always given us. Wishing love and light to all who are fortunate enough to know Kayla, and together we can help her heal.

Thank you in advance for your kindness and generosity!