Shelly Dirksens Miracle and road to recovery
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Shelly’s Miracle and Road to Recovery
In August Shelly suffered a traumatic injury when she dove into the water of Portage Lake in Onekama, MI. When Shelly dove into the lake not only did she sustain a concussion she crushed several vertebrae in her back. Then to add to the pain the doctor also discovered she had broken 4 ribs. Astonishingly, when the accident happened she walked out of the water and up to the house before realizing something was seriously wrong. An ambulance was called, and Shelly was rushed to Manistee hospital. From there, she was rushed to Munson Medical Center in Traverse City, MI. Once there, she was rushed into emergency surgery requiring the doctor to remove several shards of vertebra bones and fuse her spine using steel rods and ten metal screws. The surgeon that performed the surgery said that Shelly was a miracle because most people who sustain this type of injury become paralyzed. Shelly was literally seconds from being paralyzed. Thanks to the skills of the surgeon and the wonderful staff at Munson they saved Shelly from a lifetime of paralysis. Shelly was in the hospital unbelievably for only a week before she was able to make the slow and painful 10 plus hour journey from Traverse City, MI to her home in Springfield Il.
Shelly has a long, hard road of recovery. She started with home therapy and has recovered enough to go to physical therapy. Through several therapy session and further testing, doctors have discovered that she also has neurological damage. Her perseverance and determination to get back to the life she had amazes everyone that she is around. She is a devoted single mother and it is hard for her to depend on others. Because of her accident, however, Shelly no longer has the independence that she once had. She is unable to work, drive and daily life is still very painful for her. Because of this, her four young boys, family members and friends have to help her get to therapy and doctor’s appointments One of her boys even quit his job to stay home and help take care of her.
Shelly is a strong, determined, caring, loving, and selfless woman. Before the accident Shelly worked for an organization spending her days helping individuals with physical and mental handicaps and now she is the one that needs help. The limited financial assistance available to her helps with most food and medical expenses. However this does not pay her mortgage, utilities, property taxes, insurance and other life expenses. The stress of meeting all these financial obligations are slowing down her recovery. This is the reason we are starting this account on her behalf.
Please consider a contribution. No amount is too small. If you cannot contribute at this time, we please ask that you share her story in hopes that someone else can. We will post updates on her progress.
Thank you for reading and for any help.
In August Shelly suffered a traumatic injury when she dove into the water of Portage Lake in Onekama, MI. When Shelly dove into the lake not only did she sustain a concussion she crushed several vertebrae in her back. Then to add to the pain the doctor also discovered she had broken 4 ribs. Astonishingly, when the accident happened she walked out of the water and up to the house before realizing something was seriously wrong. An ambulance was called, and Shelly was rushed to Manistee hospital. From there, she was rushed to Munson Medical Center in Traverse City, MI. Once there, she was rushed into emergency surgery requiring the doctor to remove several shards of vertebra bones and fuse her spine using steel rods and ten metal screws. The surgeon that performed the surgery said that Shelly was a miracle because most people who sustain this type of injury become paralyzed. Shelly was literally seconds from being paralyzed. Thanks to the skills of the surgeon and the wonderful staff at Munson they saved Shelly from a lifetime of paralysis. Shelly was in the hospital unbelievably for only a week before she was able to make the slow and painful 10 plus hour journey from Traverse City, MI to her home in Springfield Il.
Shelly has a long, hard road of recovery. She started with home therapy and has recovered enough to go to physical therapy. Through several therapy session and further testing, doctors have discovered that she also has neurological damage. Her perseverance and determination to get back to the life she had amazes everyone that she is around. She is a devoted single mother and it is hard for her to depend on others. Because of her accident, however, Shelly no longer has the independence that she once had. She is unable to work, drive and daily life is still very painful for her. Because of this, her four young boys, family members and friends have to help her get to therapy and doctor’s appointments One of her boys even quit his job to stay home and help take care of her.
Shelly is a strong, determined, caring, loving, and selfless woman. Before the accident Shelly worked for an organization spending her days helping individuals with physical and mental handicaps and now she is the one that needs help. The limited financial assistance available to her helps with most food and medical expenses. However this does not pay her mortgage, utilities, property taxes, insurance and other life expenses. The stress of meeting all these financial obligations are slowing down her recovery. This is the reason we are starting this account on her behalf.
Please consider a contribution. No amount is too small. If you cannot contribute at this time, we please ask that you share her story in hopes that someone else can. We will post updates on her progress.
Thank you for reading and for any help.
Organizer and beneficiary
Theodore Dirksen
Organizer
Springfield, IL
Michele Wyness
Beneficiary