Wheelchair Accessible Van

For those of you that are now learning about Leah’s journey, here is a bit of back story. You can also visit her Caring Bridge site: Caring Bridge Leah Durtschi

Leah had 4 budging discs (T4-T8) in her thoracic spine. To fix this she had a 12-hour surgery on August 18th (longer than anticipated). The spinal cord was pinched tight, and she had been losing function in her legs because of the bulging discs. The surgeon felt they got good results from surgery. The spinal cord is now decompressed. She had a laminectomy on T4-T8, a discectomy on T5-7, and a fusion on T2-9 with the necessary screws and rods.

The disc at T7 was very big and didn’t come out easy. It was stuck to the dura, which is a fluid filled sack on the spinal cord, so it took a very long time to remove the discs. The surgeon needed to open the dura, which is not typical for a procedure like this, because it was so stuck to the disc that needed to be removed. He needed to make sure that as they were removing the disc it wasn’t pulling on the spinal cord. Everything is intact and the pressure is off the spinal cord. It will take some time and be a long recovery to strengthen and regain function and get back to her day to day. She could likely be much weaker for some time.

Leah spent the next week in the hospital and was then transferred to a rehab facility, where she has been since. She is anticipating being able to go home on September 21 and many things needed to happen for that to be possible. Leah is tough and making great progress already, but even once she is home, she will still have a very long road to recovery. Leah is unable to transfer on her own, and she might not be able to do so for a while. She has very little strength in her legs. Currently, she is only able to wiggle all her toes and her knee on her left foot. She recently started to wiggle her toes on her right leg/foot. Luckily PT and OT will be coming into the home. She will also have nursing services come into the home to continue to support bowel and bladder function.

For Leah to be able maneuver through her home and do so safely, their home needed (and still needs) many updates.

• A new bed frame needs to be purchased that will allow the head and feet to raise. This will be so helpful in her recovery and help Christal out more when Leah needs help transporting.

• 3 doorways need to be widened

• Bathroom updates from tub to roll-in-shower

In addition to the updates needed for their home, there is additional equipment that will need to be purchased that isn’t covered by insurance or only covered minimally.

• Leah will be going home with an electric wheelchair. This is because one of her arms has gotten significantly weaker, she can't twist her back for 3 months after surgery, and because of her pain level, so manual is not an option. This will increase the cost and method of transportation for future appointments.

• Hoyer lift for necessary transitioning

• Shower wheelchair

• Transport chair

• Bedrails

• Toilet rails

• Seated Walker

• Exercise and therapy equipment

Christal has been working hard to connect with the right people to make sure everything is taken care of correctly and timely so Leah can come home. Of course, this all comes with a financing burden, all while Leah will be unable to work until she is fully recovered. Leah will not be able to return to work this school year. Her hope and goal is to return the following school year in the fall of 2024.

Leah had her American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Impairment Scale test on September 18. The ASIA exam is a standardized physical examination consisting of myotomal-based motor examination, dermatomal-based sensory examination and an anorectal examination. Upon completion of these three components, an injury grade is assigned. In short: This is a test to check the current functioning and degree of paralysis in her body.

Leah is considered Grade: A / Type of Injury: Complete, meaning there is no nerve or motor function below the level of injury. The doctor said she is an exception because she technically doesn’t have an injury, such as a car accident. The main reason for this rating was due to her lack of bowel control. She has feeling but she cannot contract her anus. He is doing a referral to urology to have a procedure to place a permanent catheter in her abdomen since this will likely take months before any progress is made with bowel moments and urination.

This came as a surprise and was quite difficult to digest given that she has had movement in her leg. We are trying to remain positive and move forward that it doesn’t have to be permanent and that she needs to keep working hard just like she was before this news.

With all of this, now comes the issues of transportation since she will be in an electric wheelchair and has many upcoming appointments (primary, ortho, neurology, urology). There is an industry wide issue with transportation, and many have had to cancel appointments due to no transportation. Leah and Christal will need to buy a wheelchair accessible van with many modifications to fit Leah’s needs for current transportation and when she will be ready to drive on her own (in her wheelchair).

• Lift system

• Tie downs for the wheelchair

• Removal of the passenger seat so she can sit up front with Christal

• Removal of the driver seat so she will be able to drive when that time comes

• Ability to run the lift system herself and be more independent in the car if she needs

Leah is a warrior and keeps pushing herself hard! We can’t thank everyone enough for all the continued prayers, positives thoughts, messages, meals, and donation. If you are able to contribute, that is greatly appreciated. Here are a couple other ways to support Leah and Christal.

• Meal Train: We have set up a Meal Train if you would like to support with meals or gift cards. Meal Train Leah Durtschi

• Donations: For those that are looking for ways to help support Leah and Christal to lessen the financial stress so she can continue rehabbing in the comfort of her own home, donations can either be sent electronically via Venmo or mailed to their home.

o Venmo: @Leah-Durtschi (Leah Durtschi Donations)

o Mail: Leah Durtschi, 6 Opal Court, Madison, WI 53714

We all thank you so much!!!

~ Leah’s Family