This Newlywed Woman Was Paralyzed From A Sledding Accident
Catalina James has organized a heartfelt GoFundMe for her dear friend Caroline–who suffered a tragic sledding accident.
It was supposed to be a fun-filled snow day for Caroline, a newlywed and recent graduate from the BU Goldman School of Dentistry.
Then, she experienced an unexpected drop while sledding. Caroline was left paralyzed from the waist down at only thirty-one years old due to a severed spinal cord.
Following the accident, Caroline was air-lifted and endured a nine-hour surgery. Despite the procedure’s success in stabilizing Caroline, she will never walk again.
“Caroline is an avid dancer, hiker, and outdoor adventurer with a relentless enthusiasm for new things. I am still in shock as I think of how I was standing next to her just three months ago when she married her loving husband Chris,” Catalina wrote, “We all had a very different vision of plans for their new future and family.”
Caroline and her family are now facing a long road of recovery ahead. And, they will have to reimagine a new day-to-day “normal.”
Caroline will remain in the hospital for the next few weeks until being transferred to a rehabilitation facility.
With COVID-19 limitations still in place, Caroline will not be able to have any visitors throughout the next couple of months. In the meantime, her family and husband Chris need to make their home more accessible.
GoFundMe; pictured above is Caroline
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All of these medical and rehabilitation bills, as well as home-adjustment costs, will not be easy for Caroline and Chris.
Catalina organized the GoFundMe campaign to help relieve some of the financial burdens.
So far, their anticipated costs include a handicap van costing fifty thousand dollars, house ramps which cost five thousand dollars, an ADA bathroom costing ten thousand dollars, and out-of-pocket medical expenses totaling fifteen thousand dollars.
“While we will be packing up her dance shoes, I am hoping that together we can show her how much she is in all of our thoughts, prayers, and hearts through everything,” Catalina said, “Thank you so much for your help in every way!”
The GoFundMe, launched with a goal of eighty-thousand dollars, has already reached over eighty-seven thousand dollars in donations.
Over seven hundred people have generously donated to Caroline’s cause.
“Our prayers are with you and family during this difficult time,” wrote Jeffery Ide, who donated one hundred dollars.
“I was also gravely injured in a sledding accident. You have a long road ahead, but the blessing is seeing how much people in your life love you. I wish you the best,” wrote Lynn MacDonald, who also donated one hundred dollars.
To stay updated on Caroline’s journey or donate toward her road to recovery, visit the GoFundMe link here.
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