Friends of Maysa Hagel

Our dear friend, 25-year-old Maysa Hagel, has suffered a devastating mid-brain stroke.

On Sept. 2, while her mother, Sara, was on the phone, Maysa interrupted to tell her that she was feeling strange tingling sensations in her face and arms. Within moments, Maysa’s speech began to slur. Sara immediately recognized that her healthy, vibrant young daughter was having a stroke. Sara rushed Maysa to emergency medical help at a hospital in Billings, MT.

An extensive arterial tear was found and repaired in Maysa’s mid-brain. With tears in his eyes, the surgeon told Sara that he could only give Maysa a 10% chance of survival.

Maysa is fighting and surviving. She is making slow progress, and every small step forward is cherished. Maysa is currently on a ventilator, a trach, and a feeding tube. She has squeezed her mother’s hand, moved a shoulder, and occasionally follows staff and family with her eyes. Sara spends her days beside Maysa's bed in ICU, reading to her daughter.

Maysa’s recovery will be long and arduous. Expenses will be very high.

Maysa’s father, Lee, is recovering from knee replacement surgery and Sara cannot work while she remains at Maysa’s bedside.

Sara Hagel (www.mecates.com) is known as the finest maker of mane hair mecates in the world. She is a highly respected maker of leather headstalls, purses, and associated leather goods. Lee Hagel is a valued long-time ranch employee. Hard-working and creative Maysa follows in the footsteps of both parents with interests in fine horsemanship, leather work, and even boot making.

The ever-generous Maysa and the Hagel family now need your help! Please donate whatever you can. Every little bit helps!