Please Help Me Walk Again!
Donation protected
Hi, My name is Alicia Townsend. I had a brain injury when I was 16.
I loved swimming more than anything, but also took part in all kinds of activities including volunteer groups, band, track and my goal was to be a teacher.
It was found that I had a cyst in my brain just about the time this picture was taken, and it was decided that it needed to be removed. Following the surgery I had a huge stroke with hemorrhaging and had to be rushed back to emergency surgery twice. Although I was not expected to live, I made it through the surgeries. Most of my cerebellum had to be taken out and my brain stem was also very damaged. The Cerebellum is the area that helps with walking, coordination and balance. I was in the hospital for 7 months and my prognosis was not good at all. I slowly learned how to move and speak again and went to Physical Therapy (PT), Occupational Therapy (OT) and Speech Therapy for years. I continued to push hard, to get better day after day, year after year. I eventually went back to school and even graduated from college.
After graduation I returned home to CT and tried to get a job, but even in the field of Rehabilitation Services most places that I applied to were not accessible with my wheelchair or required me to carry out duties that I am not yet able to do.
I went back to Gaylord Rehabilitation Hospital and continued to make progress in the areas of OT, PT and Speech. I was not able to eat/swallow for almost 4 years but eventually made a breakthrough due to the latest advances in Speech therapy. I continued to make steady progress in strength building and balance and am even able to walk in water and up stairs using a railing. My dream is to walk again; I know I can.
If you would like to read about how far I have come since my brain injury, you can read about me in a book my mom wrote, To Dance in the Rain - A Mother and Daughter's Journey of Hope and Healing. I will give anyone donating more than $20, a copy of the book, and my mom and I will both sign it.
A few months back though, my medical insurance cut off payments for PT, OT and Speech. Eventhough my progress is slow, it is steady and I am still making strides every day. I continue to believe that the sky is the limit!
Unfortunately, I am on a fixed income and I can not afford the equipment that helped so much while I was in therapy. I know that walking is more likely to be a reality if I can build up my strength and push myself physically. I have been reading many studies that show how exercise, and especially walking, can heal many areas of the brain after strokes and head injuries. I really feel that my brain can relearn many of the functions I once was able to do. The most beneficial, and I think very possible would be to be able to walk again.
What I am asking for is help to buy the equipment that will allow me to continue building strength, coordination and balance . If you can help me to raise funds, I would buy an eliptical, a treadmill, stationary bike, wobbleboard, foam pads and a slant board to use at home. If there is any extra left over, I will buy a driving simulator program with a steering wheel so I can move on to the next item on my wish list... being able to drive again.
I estimate all the equipment I need to be approx $3,500 and would greatly appreciate and be forever grateful if you could help me to attain my dream to walk again.
Thank you,
Alicia
I loved swimming more than anything, but also took part in all kinds of activities including volunteer groups, band, track and my goal was to be a teacher.
It was found that I had a cyst in my brain just about the time this picture was taken, and it was decided that it needed to be removed. Following the surgery I had a huge stroke with hemorrhaging and had to be rushed back to emergency surgery twice. Although I was not expected to live, I made it through the surgeries. Most of my cerebellum had to be taken out and my brain stem was also very damaged. The Cerebellum is the area that helps with walking, coordination and balance. I was in the hospital for 7 months and my prognosis was not good at all. I slowly learned how to move and speak again and went to Physical Therapy (PT), Occupational Therapy (OT) and Speech Therapy for years. I continued to push hard, to get better day after day, year after year. I eventually went back to school and even graduated from college.
After graduation I returned home to CT and tried to get a job, but even in the field of Rehabilitation Services most places that I applied to were not accessible with my wheelchair or required me to carry out duties that I am not yet able to do.
I went back to Gaylord Rehabilitation Hospital and continued to make progress in the areas of OT, PT and Speech. I was not able to eat/swallow for almost 4 years but eventually made a breakthrough due to the latest advances in Speech therapy. I continued to make steady progress in strength building and balance and am even able to walk in water and up stairs using a railing. My dream is to walk again; I know I can.
If you would like to read about how far I have come since my brain injury, you can read about me in a book my mom wrote, To Dance in the Rain - A Mother and Daughter's Journey of Hope and Healing. I will give anyone donating more than $20, a copy of the book, and my mom and I will both sign it.
A few months back though, my medical insurance cut off payments for PT, OT and Speech. Eventhough my progress is slow, it is steady and I am still making strides every day. I continue to believe that the sky is the limit!
Unfortunately, I am on a fixed income and I can not afford the equipment that helped so much while I was in therapy. I know that walking is more likely to be a reality if I can build up my strength and push myself physically. I have been reading many studies that show how exercise, and especially walking, can heal many areas of the brain after strokes and head injuries. I really feel that my brain can relearn many of the functions I once was able to do. The most beneficial, and I think very possible would be to be able to walk again.
What I am asking for is help to buy the equipment that will allow me to continue building strength, coordination and balance . If you can help me to raise funds, I would buy an eliptical, a treadmill, stationary bike, wobbleboard, foam pads and a slant board to use at home. If there is any extra left over, I will buy a driving simulator program with a steering wheel so I can move on to the next item on my wish list... being able to drive again.
I estimate all the equipment I need to be approx $3,500 and would greatly appreciate and be forever grateful if you could help me to attain my dream to walk again.
Thank you,
Alicia
Organizer
Alicia Rose Townsend
Organizer
Watertown, CT
