Help Lyndsay Huey during Medical Leave

Hi, I am Susan Ridenhour and I am fundraising for Lyndsay Huey. As you read her story, you see that she needs our help while she is on medical leave.

On the night of Thursday, October 19, Lyndsay felt a sudden sharp pain in her neck and gradually lost feeling in her hands, torso, and legs. Her mother, who was on the phone with her at the time, called 911, and she was quickly transported to MedStar Washington Hospital in Washington, DC, where they told her she had experienced a spinal stroke. This profoundly serious condition caused her to be paralyzed from the chest down. She is currently at MedStar National Rehabilitation Hospital where she is working with physical and occupational therapists intensively for several hours every day. They have seen some positive signs such as small movements in her hands and feet as well as tingling in her fingers.

Not surprisingly, our Lyndsay is determined. Her mom reports she is in good spirits. Westat and Westat Insight HR are working together to provide support through continuity of benefits while also providing some other measures of support including some food deliveries, an Audible gift subscription, flowers, and some tasty snacks to help when the hospital food is lacking. We will continue to offer supportive measures where possible. We know that Lyndsay’s road to recovery will take some time, and she will be out of work until her medical providers clear her to return. She will receive the Short-Term and Long-Term Disability benefits Westat Insight offers their employees.

As we know, Lyndsay does not like to bring a lot of attention to herself, but she needs us during this time. Her income will decrease considerably even with these benefits. She will have significant medical bills while still needing to pay for her fixed expenses such as housing, food, utilities, and other needs. Lyndsay and her family will be relying on Uber, Lyft, and other independent ride solution providers as well as public transportation to get to and from rehabilitation appointments once Lyndsay is discharged. Her family have also incurred travel expenses to be with her. We do not want Lyndsay to have to worry so much about her financial responsibilities right now so she can stay laser-focused on her therapy. Her hard work is making a difference. She would never ask anyone for help, but her friends and family are reaching out on her behalf. We want to do whatever we can to assist, as when one of us hurts, we all hurt. Lyndsay would appreciate any communication from her friends/colleagues. Because GoFundMe recommends that we do not include personal emails in these requests, please reach out to Susan directly if you do not have Lyndsay's personal email. It lifts Lyndsay's spirits when she hears from us.

We are asking you to consider donating to help offset some of Lyndsay’s necessary expenses while she continues inpatient rehabilitation and then moves toward outpatient therapy.