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UPDATE:
The below is Sarah's Story as told by Sarah!!
My Story but it’s not just about ME! Please READ
October 7, 2016: My senior year I spent 41 days in the ICU because of an auto immune response that almost took my life and has taken others’ lives. For some reason, which doctors still aren’t sure of why, the virus (which I call “Ursala”) caused an auto immune response that attacked my central nervous system. This resulted in a condition called AFM- acute flaccid myelitis. My limbs and body from the neck down, became completely flaccid/ paralized as well as being forced to have a breathing tube. I was unable to lift my head or turn over onto my side. This condition varies in severity- some kids lose movement in a limb, while others like me, lose control of their entire body.
Before this journey started, I always did everything by myself and really only needed guidance. Being almost 18, and having to have help with everything was really hard at first. I was frustrated and angry, I didn’t want that help. Once I was out of the ICU, I was able to barely move my arms, I had a terrible hand tremor, and I had a small twitch in my right leg. Excruciating nerve pain in my legs and feet consumed every minute. I started intense physical therapy and worked hard to strengthen my muscles in the hospital. Imagine how hard it was for me to accept that the basic routine of brushing my teeth and hair would be a huge physical challenge!
November 7, 2016: I finally left the hospital on November 17th. I went to an inpatient rehab hospital and started doing intensive daily therapy including speech/ voice, neuro psychology, physical and occupational therapy. My days and nights were not my own. I had 24/7 care with a pharmacy of medications because not much of my body was moving when I arrived. The exception: a lot of emotions and self- determination to get MY LIFE back!
February 9, 2017: I left the rehab hospital taking a few steps with a walker, able to sit by self, transfer from my wheel chair to my bed on my own, and take a shower with very little assistance.
Today and why this is not just about ME: I still have a long road of therapy ahead of me, but I continue to improve every day. It’s a long road, a journey that no one knows how will end; except God. I try not to think about, why me, but more that I’m alive because God has a bigger plan for me. When I was in the hospital gym, 4 other children were suffering from AFM and all too young to even understand what had happened.
My Goal: My goal with this fund and my voice, is to raise funds for Dr. Benjamin Greenberg (my doctor) and his research team. You see, at 18, not knowing anything about my condition and what causes it is the most frustrating piece. I want to find answers for families like mine, whose kids are much, much younger than I am. I had many parents, of younger kids dealing with the same issue, ask me about how I was feeling, what hurt, what was frustrating, and just how I was coping. The reason for these questions was that, their kids weren’t able to tell them what hurts, or explain to them why they were crying. In a very weird way, I believe my journey is and will be used to help others. I’m already going to be a case study! Apparently, I beat the odds in many ways so lots of questions are being asked. This fund will go to test these results, gains and help those families desperate for answers. I hope you can help me raise money for the research that is absolutely needed.
My Thanks: I want to thank my family, friends and care teams. Special thanks for hearing my wishes and getting this thoughtful effort started through Go Fund Me. Please share my story and follow my blog: “41 Days”
Please help me in helping Sarah in her battle.
Your dontation; modest or generous is definitely appreciated.
Please donate to help Sarah and her family.
Please post to your social network to help Sarah and her family.
The below is Sarah's Story as told by Sarah!!
My Story but it’s not just about ME! Please READ
October 7, 2016: My senior year I spent 41 days in the ICU because of an auto immune response that almost took my life and has taken others’ lives. For some reason, which doctors still aren’t sure of why, the virus (which I call “Ursala”) caused an auto immune response that attacked my central nervous system. This resulted in a condition called AFM- acute flaccid myelitis. My limbs and body from the neck down, became completely flaccid/ paralized as well as being forced to have a breathing tube. I was unable to lift my head or turn over onto my side. This condition varies in severity- some kids lose movement in a limb, while others like me, lose control of their entire body.
Before this journey started, I always did everything by myself and really only needed guidance. Being almost 18, and having to have help with everything was really hard at first. I was frustrated and angry, I didn’t want that help. Once I was out of the ICU, I was able to barely move my arms, I had a terrible hand tremor, and I had a small twitch in my right leg. Excruciating nerve pain in my legs and feet consumed every minute. I started intense physical therapy and worked hard to strengthen my muscles in the hospital. Imagine how hard it was for me to accept that the basic routine of brushing my teeth and hair would be a huge physical challenge!
November 7, 2016: I finally left the hospital on November 17th. I went to an inpatient rehab hospital and started doing intensive daily therapy including speech/ voice, neuro psychology, physical and occupational therapy. My days and nights were not my own. I had 24/7 care with a pharmacy of medications because not much of my body was moving when I arrived. The exception: a lot of emotions and self- determination to get MY LIFE back!
February 9, 2017: I left the rehab hospital taking a few steps with a walker, able to sit by self, transfer from my wheel chair to my bed on my own, and take a shower with very little assistance.
Today and why this is not just about ME: I still have a long road of therapy ahead of me, but I continue to improve every day. It’s a long road, a journey that no one knows how will end; except God. I try not to think about, why me, but more that I’m alive because God has a bigger plan for me. When I was in the hospital gym, 4 other children were suffering from AFM and all too young to even understand what had happened.
My Goal: My goal with this fund and my voice, is to raise funds for Dr. Benjamin Greenberg (my doctor) and his research team. You see, at 18, not knowing anything about my condition and what causes it is the most frustrating piece. I want to find answers for families like mine, whose kids are much, much younger than I am. I had many parents, of younger kids dealing with the same issue, ask me about how I was feeling, what hurt, what was frustrating, and just how I was coping. The reason for these questions was that, their kids weren’t able to tell them what hurts, or explain to them why they were crying. In a very weird way, I believe my journey is and will be used to help others. I’m already going to be a case study! Apparently, I beat the odds in many ways so lots of questions are being asked. This fund will go to test these results, gains and help those families desperate for answers. I hope you can help me raise money for the research that is absolutely needed.
My Thanks: I want to thank my family, friends and care teams. Special thanks for hearing my wishes and getting this thoughtful effort started through Go Fund Me. Please share my story and follow my blog: “41 Days”
Please help me in helping Sarah in her battle.
Your dontation; modest or generous is definitely appreciated.
Please donate to help Sarah and her family.
Please post to your social network to help Sarah and her family.
Organizador y beneficiario
justin parscale
Organizador
Richardson, TX
Sarah Mendenhall
Beneficiario