Stefanie's Super Mom Memorial Fund

Stefanie is a vibrant wife, mom, small business owner, volunteer, and all around super woman.  She loves connecting people together, she's always there to lend a helping hand, and she's never met a stranger.

Visiting friends at their lake house July 6th

Right now she needs your help. She is currently in the ICU and unable to move due to brain inflamation. The doctors are trying to figure out why she is so sick, but regardless of the cause, we are looking at a very long and slow rehabilitation and recovery.

This busy, on the go mom has lost almost all of her muscle function and is almost completely immobile.  She can move her left leg and the left arm, but can't pick anything up with her hand.  Her right side is completely unmoveable.  Once her treatment ends she will need to go to an acute rehabilitation facility for 24/7 care, and physical and occupational therapy to regain her strength and motor function. 

What Happened?

On July 15th after a day at the pool with her two little girls (Riley-6 and Reese-4) she started coming down with what we thought was a summer flu, but while her fever went away the next morning, she started having aches, dizziness, nausea, and then started losing her balance and muscle control.  This hit fast.

We took her to the ER at Piedmont Hospital where they were able to rule out stroke or aneurysm, and identified significant brain inflamation as the cause of her symptoms.  She was admitted to the ICU, and the doctors have been working to determine the cause of the inflamation since.

Day 2 in ICU

They were able to use an MRI and spinal tap to rule out other potential causes like bacterial infection or a tumor.  So the likely cause is either a viral infection or her own immune system is attacking her brain.

The damage done by the brain inflamation has been significant.  She has lost 100% of her muscle control on the right side of her body, and has significant impairment on the left side.  She can turn her head, but can't lift it off of the pillow.  She can move her left hand to scratch her nose, but can't hold her phone.

Hanging tough on ICU Day 4

Because they don't know the cause or treatment yet, they can't say to what extent Stefanie will be able to recover.  They do believe her brain will heal and that intensive rehab and therapy is her best hope for a full recovery.  The brain turns off quickly, but takes a long time to restart.

Her Need

Stefanie has an extensive network of friends and family who have stepped up to support Stefanie and Pete with meals, child care, and other basic necessities.  Since they are both self-employed, Stefanie and Pete will be forced to forgo income to invest the time it will take for her recovery.  What the Ballard family needs right now is financial help to pay for her medical expenses, the extensive rehab that Stefanie will need, and to supplement their reduced income.

We just want our wife, mom, and friend back.  I asked Reese (4) what she loves about mommy, and she said, "Her hugs and kisses."  Please help her do that for years to come.

Thank you for supporting Stefanie and Pete, and please consider sharing their story with other folks who might want to help also.

If you would like to make a direct/offline donation, please email [email redacted] to get the details.