Help Kiara Terry Breathe Easier
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Help Kiara Terry and her family breathe easier
April 30th - A date that nearly ended in tragedy
Kiara Terry, an honor student and athlete, had pushed herself to return to school despite not feeling her best and recovering from an eye infection. She wanted to help lead the girls’ tennis team in the evening’s match. However, during warm-ups, our active, healthy 16-year-old niece collapsed on the court. Her coach, Joni Stigall, contacted Kiara’s parents and got medical care for her on site. Her boyfriend, Taylor Porter, literally came running from track practice to be by her side. Kiara was taken to the local hospital and determined to be in a life-threatening situation, so she was flown by helicopter to Riley Children’s Hospital in Indianapolis. Kiara’s heart was out of rhythm and working much too hard due to multiple blood clots in her lungs. Kiara was struggling to breathe and hurting all over from the clots and the cuts and scrapes from her fall. Kiara arrived at Riley without any family present, as the trip took our sister and her husband nearly an hour and a half by car.
Throughout the night, prayers were lifted that the clots would begin to dissolve and not dislodge and that Kiara would not have to undergo a dangerous surgery to open her arteries and reduce the strain on her heart. Thankfully our prayers were answered as we had hoped. Kiara was carefully monitored and underwent a myriad of testing in the intensive care unit throughout the week. By Saturday afternoon she was considered stable enough to return home on powerful blood thinners and with close supervision.
The blood clots are still present and our bubbly, talkative teen struggles to get enough air to speak. Our niece, who was teaching exercise classes at a local gym, is too weak to walk any distance without getting dizzy and out of breath. The one who lifted weights to stay in shape for tennis and lifted heavy feed bags for her horse, Prince, is restricted to lifting less than 10 pounds. She will not be able to return to school this year. We are not sure when the one who just got her license will be able to return to driving. So far, Kiara has been in good spirits. She understands that many do not survive the ordeal she has been through. Her family is so grateful to the many friends, family members, and community members that have prayed and sent words of encouragement. Kiara’s parents praise God and the medical personnel both at home and at Riley.

My brother, his wife, and I are still dealing with the fact that we almost lost Kiara and we wanted to do something tangible to show our love. Our sister was reluctant to allow us to do a fundraiser, knowing that there are so many families in need and that everyone has something they are dealing with. However, we assured her that no one would be specifically asked for money and that no one would give unless they wanted to. So many have asked, “Is there anything we can do to help?”, and we know that in addition to praying and offering encouragement, they would be willing to donate the cost of a Get Well card or a bouquet of flowers toward the medical bills that will surely come. Our sister and her husband are hard-working people with medical insurance, but the emergency and specialty care will be very expensive. It is our hope that both Kiara and her parents will breathe easier knowing that people who love them will help bear a portion of the financial burden so they can focus on getting Kiara’s health and strength back. And get her talking a mile a minute again.
Our goal of $25,000 is based on the estimated cost of the emergency helicopter, which is expected to be $15,000-$25,000 and may not be covered by insurance. The remaining balance, if any, would go toward deductibles and co-insurance for the emergency room visit, intensive care stay, follow-up visits, and pharmacy expenses.
April 30th - A date that nearly ended in tragedy
Kiara Terry, an honor student and athlete, had pushed herself to return to school despite not feeling her best and recovering from an eye infection. She wanted to help lead the girls’ tennis team in the evening’s match. However, during warm-ups, our active, healthy 16-year-old niece collapsed on the court. Her coach, Joni Stigall, contacted Kiara’s parents and got medical care for her on site. Her boyfriend, Taylor Porter, literally came running from track practice to be by her side. Kiara was taken to the local hospital and determined to be in a life-threatening situation, so she was flown by helicopter to Riley Children’s Hospital in Indianapolis. Kiara’s heart was out of rhythm and working much too hard due to multiple blood clots in her lungs. Kiara was struggling to breathe and hurting all over from the clots and the cuts and scrapes from her fall. Kiara arrived at Riley without any family present, as the trip took our sister and her husband nearly an hour and a half by car.
Throughout the night, prayers were lifted that the clots would begin to dissolve and not dislodge and that Kiara would not have to undergo a dangerous surgery to open her arteries and reduce the strain on her heart. Thankfully our prayers were answered as we had hoped. Kiara was carefully monitored and underwent a myriad of testing in the intensive care unit throughout the week. By Saturday afternoon she was considered stable enough to return home on powerful blood thinners and with close supervision.
The blood clots are still present and our bubbly, talkative teen struggles to get enough air to speak. Our niece, who was teaching exercise classes at a local gym, is too weak to walk any distance without getting dizzy and out of breath. The one who lifted weights to stay in shape for tennis and lifted heavy feed bags for her horse, Prince, is restricted to lifting less than 10 pounds. She will not be able to return to school this year. We are not sure when the one who just got her license will be able to return to driving. So far, Kiara has been in good spirits. She understands that many do not survive the ordeal she has been through. Her family is so grateful to the many friends, family members, and community members that have prayed and sent words of encouragement. Kiara’s parents praise God and the medical personnel both at home and at Riley.
My brother, his wife, and I are still dealing with the fact that we almost lost Kiara and we wanted to do something tangible to show our love. Our sister was reluctant to allow us to do a fundraiser, knowing that there are so many families in need and that everyone has something they are dealing with. However, we assured her that no one would be specifically asked for money and that no one would give unless they wanted to. So many have asked, “Is there anything we can do to help?”, and we know that in addition to praying and offering encouragement, they would be willing to donate the cost of a Get Well card or a bouquet of flowers toward the medical bills that will surely come. Our sister and her husband are hard-working people with medical insurance, but the emergency and specialty care will be very expensive. It is our hope that both Kiara and her parents will breathe easier knowing that people who love them will help bear a portion of the financial burden so they can focus on getting Kiara’s health and strength back. And get her talking a mile a minute again.
Our goal of $25,000 is based on the estimated cost of the emergency helicopter, which is expected to be $15,000-$25,000 and may not be covered by insurance. The remaining balance, if any, would go toward deductibles and co-insurance for the emergency room visit, intensive care stay, follow-up visits, and pharmacy expenses.
Organizer
Christina Hennion
Organizer
Bedford, IN
