Gillian Schmidt: A Stroke Recovery Journey
Donation protected
There is no need to introduce Gillian Schmidt - sometimes it feels like she knows everyone already. The number of lives that she has affected is truly amazing. This is why we are asking for help - to allow everyone to touch her life in return.
On October 8, Gillian suffered a massive stroke at the very young age of 38 years. Due to the fast and attentive care in the St. Luke’s Plaza location Emergency Room, she was taken into surgery without delay. From there, she spent time in the Neurology ICU before being moved to the St. Luke’s South Rehabilitation Institute. At the time this is being written, she has not regained the ability to speak though the different sounds she can make is increasing. There is still no use of the right side of her body. She improves everyday and we all have to remember that this is not a sprint, it’s a marathon.
Obviously the medical costs of all this increase constantly as well as the cost of equipment for her to be home. Gillian will be discharged to begin her outpatient therapy at the tentative date of November 11 - a long, exhausting 34 days after she was first rushed to the hospital. We are looking at the best options for her recovery and obviously those are very pricey and time-consuming for both her and her caregivers. Due to being in a wheelchair, she won’t immediately be able to return to her home in Waldo where she has lived for over a decade. We would love to be able to keep this home for the time being in the hopes that she can return when she regains the ability to walk. Bills will, unfortunately, keep coming no matter what shape that she is in. Gillian and her fiance will be staying with her parents for the time being in order to give her the most care and space as possible. James has yet to return to work as so much time has been dedicated to Gillian’s care. As the doctors and therapists have said, the best thing that Gillian’s parents and fiance can do for her is to give her their time and patience.
The first question that everyone asks is what they can do to help - this is the answer. We are raising funds to assist with Gillian’s bills whether they be medical or for home. Help us as we fight to give her the best chance at returning to a normal life - her normal life. We have no idea what the cost of everything will be in the long-run but any little bit helps.
Thank you for your support as we get through these trying times. We can make it through this.
On October 8, Gillian suffered a massive stroke at the very young age of 38 years. Due to the fast and attentive care in the St. Luke’s Plaza location Emergency Room, she was taken into surgery without delay. From there, she spent time in the Neurology ICU before being moved to the St. Luke’s South Rehabilitation Institute. At the time this is being written, she has not regained the ability to speak though the different sounds she can make is increasing. There is still no use of the right side of her body. She improves everyday and we all have to remember that this is not a sprint, it’s a marathon.
Obviously the medical costs of all this increase constantly as well as the cost of equipment for her to be home. Gillian will be discharged to begin her outpatient therapy at the tentative date of November 11 - a long, exhausting 34 days after she was first rushed to the hospital. We are looking at the best options for her recovery and obviously those are very pricey and time-consuming for both her and her caregivers. Due to being in a wheelchair, she won’t immediately be able to return to her home in Waldo where she has lived for over a decade. We would love to be able to keep this home for the time being in the hopes that she can return when she regains the ability to walk. Bills will, unfortunately, keep coming no matter what shape that she is in. Gillian and her fiance will be staying with her parents for the time being in order to give her the most care and space as possible. James has yet to return to work as so much time has been dedicated to Gillian’s care. As the doctors and therapists have said, the best thing that Gillian’s parents and fiance can do for her is to give her their time and patience.
The first question that everyone asks is what they can do to help - this is the answer. We are raising funds to assist with Gillian’s bills whether they be medical or for home. Help us as we fight to give her the best chance at returning to a normal life - her normal life. We have no idea what the cost of everything will be in the long-run but any little bit helps.
Thank you for your support as we get through these trying times. We can make it through this.
Organizer and beneficiary
Amanda Parra
Organizer
Kansas City, MO
James Phillips
Beneficiary