Helping Kathy at Home

We are raising funds to help with the costs of home modifications which are necessary for Kathy to be able to get back home again. Kathy is always such a positive influence on everyone she comes into contact with - sharing her passion for travel and golf with so many! Her smile and laughter are infectious - her positive outlook has helped many. Now it is our turn to do what we can to help Kathy. On March 7, 2023, Kathy suffered a rare spinal cord stroke. She had just finished a shower when she felt a "pop" in her back, which caused her to feel immediate pressure in her hips and within 30 minutes she was unable to move her legs. She was rushed to Barrie Hospital and after the initial MRI, she was told she had a slipped disk. Kathy had a consultation with some Toronto doctors and was told that she was not a candidate for back surgery. The Toronto doctors told Kathy's team in Barrie to keep digging as a slipped disk was not the cause of her muscle weakness. After 5 MRIs, 4 CT scans, numerous X-rays and a gazillion blood tests, her team of doctors were finally able to provide a diagnosis of a spinal cord stroke. The team went on to test Kathy for everything they could, to try and find out the cause of the stroke. All of her tests came back completely fine. Now Kathy is laser-focused on recovery and will never know what caused her to have this stroke. Spinal cord strokes are rare. According to statistics, most people do recover but it can take up to 2 years for that to happen or some never recover the use of their legs. Each doctor has their version of recovery. Kathy has learned that spinal cords are very small and cut in half - half is sensory and half is motor. Her sensory is fine - she has had pins and needles in her legs since this happened and she can feel every touch. Unfortunately, the motor part of her spinal cord was badly damaged. The nerves that control motor skills sometimes come back and sometimes they don't - everyone heals differently. On April 18, 2023, Kathy was transferred to Lyndhurst Spinal Cord Rehabilitation Centre in Toronto. She is working out regularly as well as having occupational and physiotherapy daily during the week - even taking additional therapy sessions as often as she can get them. Kathy is fighting hard for this and her determination is starting to pay off as she has had some tiny improvements with her muscles - but she still cannot move her legs. The doctors have warned her that her legs may never recover, so Kathy is getting used to life in a wheelchair and increasing her upper body strength to maintain as much independence as possible. Kathy is scheduled to be discharged from Lyndhurst on June 21, 2023, and needs modifications done to her home so that she can safely go home. All funds raised will be put towards these required modifications. These modifications include putting in an elevator to be able to get to her front door, as a ramp is not an option; installing a stairlift to be able to get into her basement apartment. She also needs to widen several door frames and replace all the flooring. There will be additional equipment required for Kathy to lead a "new" normal life. Kathy is fighting so hard to regain the use of her legs and is finding access to government funding for these modifications extremely difficult. She has applied for some grants but there are maximums in place that will not cover the total costs of the modifications that she requires - and there is no guarantee the funding applications will be approved. We thank you for any contribution you can provide to help us get Kathy back into her home. So many of us are incredibly fortunate to have Kathy in our lives - this is one small way we can express our gratitude.