TABITHA PEARSON

Tabitha Pearson suffered a catastrophic stroke four months ago. The stroke left her totally incapacitated, unable to speak or move her limbs. However, she is totally aware and is communicating with her eyes. She was diagnosed with Locked-in Syndrome, a rare condition following a stroke in the pons area of the brain stem. Tabby was in ICU for six weeks and on a ventilator. She has been at a long term acute care hospital since December. She was weaned off of the ventilator and now breathes on her own with the assistance of a tracheostomy. The road to recovery is very long and requires consistent and repetitive exercise of her limbs (via rehabilitation) in order for neuroplasticity to occur. Neuroplasticity causes the undamaged parts of the brain to find new pathways to connect to the body and cause body movement. It basically retrains the brain to communicate with the body. The doctors say that she is medically sound, but in need of rehab. This requires ongoing in-home rehab which includes physical, occupational, speech, and respiratory therapies, as well as nursing, hospital bed and medical equipment. Any contribution that you can make is very much appreciated. Love, Tabitha, Michelle, and Barbara Pearson