30 Years Ago She Was Paralyzed In A Car Accident, And Next Month, She’s Undergoing A Surgery That Could Change Her Life
30 years ago, Nancy Maren’s sister Stephanie ended up paralyzed after getting into a car accident.
Since then, Stephanie has relied on her wheelchair to get around, as she does have quadriplegia, but that hasn’t impacted her ability to achieve some incredible milestones.
“Those who know Stephanie know that she didn’t let that slow her down,” Nancy wrote on a GoFundMe page.
“For the last 25+ years, she has made the most of a not-great situation, including graduating from Marquette and having a successful career in TV, all while living with her disability.”
7 years back, Stephanie happened to be reading People Magazine when she saw an article they had written regarding a study being conducted at the University of Lousiville.
The study is called The Big Idea, and it’s geared toward using research to change the lives of people who are paralyzed.
“It’s a movement to transform what it means for individuals to live with a spinal cord injury (SCI), just like my sister,” Nancy said.
“The Big Idea study will further explore the life-enhancing effects of epidural stimulation via an implant on people with spinal cord injury (SCI).”
GoFundMe; pictured above are Stephanie and Nancy
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“At the end of 2014, Stephanie put her name on a list, hoping to be called to participate in the study.”
Well, late last year, Stephanie was told that she could potentially be part of the next study The Big Idea is about to conduct.
Stephanie had to go through 2 different rounds of testing before being accepted into the study, and along with 35 other people, Stephanie will be getting a surgery that could potentially change her life.
Next month, on July 14th, Stephanie will get this implant called an epidural stimulator, and in previous studies conducted by The Big Idea, they have been able to help paralyzed people regain movement with this medical device.
As for how it works? “A stimulator is placed inside the body and wired to the spinal cord,” The Big Idea explains on their website.
“The stimulator is controlled by a remote about the size of a smartphone. When the stimulator is on, commands such as “move my right leg” result in movement. In a way, the electrical pulses are “awakening” the nerve cells in the spinal cord.”
For Stephanie to be in this study, she will need to leave her TV job for at least a year, but it could be as long as 14 months.
Although Stephanie lives in Wisconsin, she will have to live in Louisville for the study, and so Nancy is hoping to raise money to help ease the financial burden on Stephanie to be able to participate in The Big Idea.
“We are asking for your help for someone who, through her own struggles, always asks what she can do to help others,” Nancy continued.
“This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Stephanie to be able to move parts of her body she currently can’t, and ultimately, we hope she will take her first step in 30 years.”
“We never thought something like this was even possible. Any support is appreciated beyond measure!”
You can visit the GoFundMe page that Nancy created for her sister Stephanie here.
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