A New Family and their Road to Recovery

A Reminder to Hug your Family Tight …. For Life can Change in the blink of an Eye!

 

On February 22, 2019, life changed for Kirsten and Kasen Worsley.   Kirsten and Kasen are Garrett Parker’s girlfriend and son.  They all live together in Broxton, Georgia in the Snipesville Community.


On the way to school, due to terrible fog and wet road conditions, Kirsten and Kasen rounded a curve and lost control of their vehicle. They slid off the road, and hit a concrete culvert, sending the car airborne.  They were transported to Coffee Regional Medical Center in Douglas, Ga. where they were evaluated, and then transferred by ambulance to Memorial University Medical Center in Savannah, Ga. Both were in critical condition.  Kirsten was diagnosed with a shattered L1 vertebrae/broken back, and Kasen with a compound, complex break of his right femur, broken right wrist and sprained right ankle. 

Kasen was rushed to surgery Friday night, which required a rod in order to repair his femur, and then they set and casted his wrist.  Kirsten had a long and extensive back surgery Saturday morning, which required a titanium rod and 11 screws in her back. The repair required that her T11 through L3 be fused together, and a back brace for 3 to 8 months.  On a happy note, both surgeries were successful.

 

Following surgery, they were hospitalized for 5 days on separate floors.  Aside for their physical pain, the emotional separation was hard for both, but their courage and determination has been inspiring.  Kasen was very concerned about his mom and wanted to see her soooo very bad.  Despite the terrible pain they were in, on Monday, by coincidence, both Kasen and Kirsten had Physical Therapy prepare each of them for a wheelchair visit to see one another.  What a surprise it was, as they ran into each other in the hall on the way.  What a sweet, precious and tearful moment it was!

(Kirsten and Kasen getting to see each other for the first time in 5 days.)

The next day, their spirits were lifted a little more, and we got a few smiles when the family dog, Sye came for a visit. Wednesday, February 27th, they were discharged to home health care, physical therapy, and the care of family and friends.  We thank the Lord for having his hand upon them and keeping them safe, and we know he will be with them through their rehabilitation process, and long road to recovery as it will be a minimum of two months before Kirsten is allowed to lift anything heavier than a pair of shoes.   

With two complex surgeries, extended hospital stays, medicines and medical equipment, as well as physical therapy for two, medical bills are mounting.  Kirsten will not be able to return to work for several months, and Garrett is doing all he can to make sure they are taken care of while juggling work as well.   Kirsten worked as an LPN and was attending ABAC to get her RN which is now unfortunately on hold, as the Nursing Program that she recently passed her HESI for will start in June and requires the student to pass a physical test as they must lift patients and equipment, and she cannot do so for some time.  Garrett is a pilot for B&S Air.   Even though the income flow stops, their monthly bills and mounting medicals do not.  

You can never prepare for the unexpected in life; this family is not looking for a hand-out, but a hand-up. I’ve spoken with my son, who’s only ever been on the other side of a GoFundMe, and he’s agreed to this if he can PAY IT FORWARD.  He said that when he returns to work, he will send a minimum of 20% of the donations they receive as a charitable contribution to the Children’s Pediatric Unit at Memorial University Medical Center in Savannah where Kasen was treated. This will be done a little later this year, but he will make sure that everyone will be aware and is a man of his word. We thank you for your continued thoughts and prayers and any contributions large or small, that you’d wish to send for Kirsten and Kasen. We cannot express how much we appreciate every little phone call, text, visit, or gift that brightens their spirits during this troubling time. Thanks to all of you and God Bless.