Caroline Prugh's Rehab and Recovery

Caroline Prugh is a theatre artist from Brooklyn, New York. She has worked as a playwright, producer, dramaturg and educator. She is deeply loved by friends, family, students and collaborators, for her boundless energy, uninhibited laughter, and generous spirit. Caroline is a unique soul – full of joy, enthusiasm and endless support for those she loves.

On December 5 2016, Caroline went in for the latest in a series of surgeries to address a congenital heart condition due to her ongoing struggle with Marfan Syndrome (Click here to learn more about the condition: https://www.marfan.org/about/marfan ). The surgery was successful, but Caroline suffered a stroke while in surgery. The physical strain from this very invasive procedure, meant  to fix her descending aorta, has been compounded  by the impact of the stroke. The extent of the damage from the stroke is as yet unknown, but, at  the very least,  Caroline will need to start rehab as she starts her recovery process.

Sadly, much  of the Caroline and Paige’s savings was depleted following Caroline’s last surgery in May 2015, when she suffered an aortic aneurism that imploded her ascending aorta. Her recovery from this prior surgery was remarkable, but financial costs and decreased income has put the couple in a financially precarious position.

We are reaching out to Caroline’s community of friends, family, artistic collaborators and former students to help support her and her wife Paige van den Burg through the projected year-long convalescence.  The cost of this type of care over the course of a year are immense, but as a community of people who have all felt the impact of Caroline on our lives, we can come together and support Caroline, her wife Paige and her family to give them the support they need to get through this difficult period.

HOW THE MONEY WILL BE USED:

Funds raised in this campaign will go directly to paying for Caroline’s medical support and rehabilitation, which is expected to last at least a  year. The services that Caroline will need over the coming year will include but aren’t limited to: Acute Inpatient Rehab, Outpatient Rehab, Transportation costs to and from medical care, Speech and Physical Therapy, Ongoing medical bills and Loss of income during this time.

Funds will also be used to make Caroline and Paige’s home accessible and safe for Caroline’s use.

Caroline is one of the kindest, most energetic people we know. She brings warmth, sensitivity and love to everything she does. We invite you to join us in repaying that positive energy by donating to support her in her recovery. Caroline has been a rock for so many of us in our various times of need. Now she needs us.