Help Sarah Get Her Prosthetics

Hello all,

Many of you know the incredible story of our Aunt Sarah, who had both of her legs amputated (and many of her fingers) from the knee down after a completely unexpected battle with DIC in late 2019. For well over a year now, she has been tirelessly working to get herself ready for prosthetics so that she can walk again on her own. After months and months of waiting for her legs and wounds to heal properly, she took her first steps on June 9th of last year. It was an uplifting moment and she could hardly wait to get home and begin her two (2) week walking schedule. Finally, the waiting appeared to be over and she would start to get her independence back once again. The ability to spend time walking around the house and the neighborhood with her new legs on her own brought a new level of excitement in her recovery process. However, after just three (3) short days, she developed a massive blister on her left leg (the size of a water balloon) and was advised that she could no longer walk with the prosthetics until the blister fully healed. More waiting. It took more than six (6) weeks for the blister to fully heal and when she went back to her prosthetist to try a different type of foot, the excitement began to creep back into the recovery. Blister prevention became another mission she was determined to conquer. The new feet felt great right away; lighter and did not seem to rub her skin like the old ones. After a few short walks, the prosthetist checked the skin and everything appeared to be in good shape. It seemed that the wait might be over and the goal to walk again was within her reach, but it was not yet meant to be. The blisters quickly returned and the waiting has continued. Over the past few months, Sarah has visited with several specialists from Roanoke to Washington D.C. and it has been determined that another surgery must be performed on her wounds to replace with stronger skin to avoid blistering. She has found a doctor ready and able to perform this surgery, however, unfortunately, Sarah's insurance will not cover this procedure. She has fought tooth and nail and pursued every avenue to try and find the funding to help supplement the high cost of this procedure, but she has been turned down at each door. Sarah has provided all of us with so much inspiration as she has attacked her recovery with such determination and grace. It is time for us to step up and do what we can to help her walk again. To help her get back the independence she so desperately desires and deserves. There is no amount too small in our pursuit to this goal and we appreciate any ounce of generosity. This is our chance to repay Sarah for all the reminders she has given us about the importance of never giving up and remembering that life is what we make it. Let's do our part to help her on her journey to walk again!