Help Deanna Miethke’s Recovery

Friends, family and larger community - My name is Olivia Miethke, I have created this fundraiser on behalf of my mother, Deanna Miethke, for her medical recovery.

On October 8th, Deanna was admitted into the Intensive Care Unit at Scripps Encinitas due to a life-threatening traumatic brain injury. She was taken into emergency surgery upon arrival, where a skilled team of doctors were able to perform a craniectomy and save her life. Her closest loved ones have been by her side each moment through the first weeks of her journey, and we are filled with hope as she makes progress each day, but she has a long journey ahead.

With her release from the skilled nursing rehabilitation center where she was receiving care on November 6th, we as her family realized Deanna needed immediate support. We are trying to prevent her accidentally falling and hitting her head again due to her current inaccessible and unsafe living situation. We are trying to support her efforts at recovery by not setting her up to fail after surviving a near death experience and working hard to recover. We also want to ensure she has the financial means to continue receiving necessary ongoing medical care.

Deanna is surviving best she can, but adversity has hit hard. Due to her MS diagnosis in her early life, she depends on her husband of 32 years, Karl, for support. Karl works as much as he can as an independent contractor but without the job security of a salary employee & often irregular income that comes with that work, and Deanna now requiring nearly round the clock care, we are asking for community support - for your support.

The donations will help Deanna overcome the difficulties she has been facing and may continue to face. This money will help Deanna secure stable and safe housing, so she may gain a full recovery, reduce the stress of unstable housing, and prevent accidental falling or other hazards that may delay her recovery. Funds will be used for essential care and needs for Deanna. This includes support for secure housing, medical bills, ongoing physical & speech therapy, groceries, medications, and continued medical supervision.

Deanna raised 4 kids, participates in her community, and has always helped others in need—all despite her MS diagnosis and chronic health conditions. If you know Deanna - you know how much love she puts into the world. She has been so strong through all of this. When she had to get brain surgery which resulted in a 12 inch incision in her skull, she made jokes about the “funny” new haircut. When she was in the ICU, she befriended her roommate. When she’s at physical therapy, she’s making everyone laugh and lighting up the room. Deanna has never backed down from a challenge, but she needs our help to get past this hurdle. This is help not just for her, but for her dedicated husband so he can continue to care for her, too.

Without this support, Deanna is more at risk for another injury. By not being stably housed in a safe accessible environment, Deanna is at risk of further falls and injury due to her MS diagnosis. She and her husband Karl face many challenges and vulnerabilities, such as disability and housing insecurity, but have continued to participate in their community and show up for others. They deserve to be supported in this critical moment by all of us. Without this financial support, Deanna’s long term recovery outcomes are diminished. She needs a safe, clean place to live so she can adequately rest, recover, and not get injured again from living in unsafe conditions. She needs financial support to continue working closely with her care team as she recovers.

Deanna has been incredibly motivated, positive, and tenacious through her recovery so far. It has been incredible to see the progress she has made in just the past couple weeks, and we want to ensure the future holds the same promise for her. She is working so hard to recover—at times too hard even, and has needed to slow down to give her brain a chance to heal. She is determined to get past this, but needs a safe place to go and continued medical support to continue her hard work.

Every donation is a step closer to a brighter future for Deanna, and is deeply appreciated by her and all of her loved ones.