Debbie’s Traumatic Brain Injury Fund

Imagine losing your health (your mobility, small and large motor control in parts of your body, your ability to concentrate for long periods), your career, your income, your mode of transportation, and your mother, all within a short period. This is what happened to my dear friend Debbie Whitson who suffers from traumatic brain injury.

The traumatic brain injury resulted from an infection (MRSA) after Debbie's brain surgery. The surgery was done for a condition Debbie suffers from called Cavernoma. Cavernoma is a cluster of abnormal blood vessels in the brain that, in Debbie’s case, resulted in bleeding in the brain. When surgery was done to help prevent more bleeding, an infection ensued (MRSA). Additional surgery was done in an attempt to remove the infected tissue. Sadly, the invasive surgery left Debbie with permanent damage to the brain. As a result, Debbie has continual tremors in her left hand and arm. She has leg instability which makes walking difficult, and her ability to focus on tasks for long periods is limited.

I could see Debbie's struggles when we reconnected a few years ago. Although adjusting to the physical and mental changes was challenging, isolation had become her worst enemy. Without transportation, she is trapped in a small, lonely world that offers little human contact.

The purpose of “Debbie’s Traumatic Brain Injury Fund” is to enable her to free herself from chronic social isolation and will allow her to secure employment so that she can share her gifts. She would love to find a job where she can help others. Unfortunately, Debbie has no mode of transportation. Funds raised will help her pay for transportation or purchase a used car that could be adapted for her disabilities.

As many of us know from experience in dealing with the pandemic ourselves, isolation can take a terrible toll. Most of us are fortunate because that is over, but Debbie’s isolation continues. Please help restore her ability to share her gifts with her community. With her, it will be a better place!

Please consider contributing; no amount is too small; every dollar will make a difference. I would be very grateful if you shared this link with family and friends.