Help Sandra Get a New Shoulder

GOAL REACHED! 

HUGE THANKS FROM SANDRA ❤️

Nov. 16

This past August, friends and colleagues at Birchdale Writers Retreat wanted to start a Go Fund Me in support of getting my shoulder replaced privately. Pride got in the way. But I finally embraced that offer. Pat Lee and Heather White pulled it together, and launched the GFM. Two weeks later, here we are, funds secured. WOW. Operation will be Dec. 5th and I am deliriously happy. Grateful beyond measure. THANK YOU!

NEWSFLASH!

Nov 10

An additional $7,000 has come in via private contributions in the past 36 hours, reducing the GFM goal to $19,000. Sandra continues to be overwhelmed and grateful for the support.

UPDATE!

Nov. 9

Today Sandra turns 79 AND she has a date for shoulder replacement -- Dec. 5th!

"It's the best Birthday present ever ... and this is all possible with the help of family, friends and even strangers!"

As well, due to private donations, the GFM goal has been dropped from 32K to 26K. She's on her way!

Three years ago, Sandra Phinney went to a physiotherapist to address a pain in her right shoulder. She assumed it was the rotator cuff, so she started an exercise regime to address it accordingly. But the pain just got progressively worse.

“I try to take care of my health and avoid the burdened health care system as much as possible,” she says. “But several months into physio, I knew I had to have X-rays.” They showed that she needed a full shoulder replacement. “It was just bone on bone,” she notes.

“My family doctor referred me to a surgeon, but it's a two-year wait list to see one and another year before the operation. At the rate things are deteriorating with my shoulder, I won't be able to dress myself or drive by Christmas.”

She can't use her right arm to eat, lift a pot off the stove, comb her hair, brush her teeth, open/close doors, etc. “I have learned how to use my left arm for that stuff and am getting by. So many mundane things we take for granted! I’m pretty good at covering up but the pain is debilitating—and it’s always there. Exhausting.”

Disheartened by the wait time in the public health care system, Sandra is in the consultation phase to get her shoulder replaced through a private medical clinic in Toronto. Looks like she can morph into Sandra 2.0 in six weeks! It can happen that fast!

“I just want my life back,” she says.” I keep focusing on the day I can pick up my grandchildren and give folks real bear hugs!”

We need to keep this incredible woman functioning at full capacity! Or at least hear that she is able to resume paddling her canoe: “Not being able to paddle is purgatory. Even a couple of hours in a canoe can be life-affirming.”

This is an opportunity for everyone who has benefitted over the years from Sandra’s generous heart to express their appreciation.

A dollar here, a dollar there. Let's help our dear friend get back to doing what she does best—living life to its fullest!