Read the previous updates written by Mom and Dad

01/24/07

Wednesday, January 24, 2007

Over the past month there has been a renewed national and international media interest in Sarah’s story.  The January issue of Ladies Home Journal had an excellent and extensive story recounting the entire event.  For anyone not familiar with Sarah’s saga, the article covers the subject in interesting detail; additionally, we completed taping of an upcoming feature the BBC is doing for The Discovery Channel.  We were told the piece will air sometime in March.  Apparently it will pursue the story of several unusual head injury cases and discuss the changes in the medical community regarding new thinking about how and why such injured people are recovering to some extent from their injuries. 

Sarah continues to make slow and sure improvement.  She had numerous surgeries on her arms and legs to release tension and rigidity and is able to move and control movement; also, she is able to eat pureed foods and, although with difficulty, is able to speak and communicate her thoughts and needs.  Considering she was unable to do any of this for twenty years, her progress is remarkable.

Sarah has somehow opened the door to her prison which is indicative of her tremendous will power and determination to regain her ability to function as an individual; however, we know full well Sarah can open the door so far.  She needs the opportunity to progress as far as she is capable and only through extended and intensive therapy will this occur. Our private insurance ran out years ago and she is supported solely through state and federal programs that provide the basics for her care and little more.  In other words we need any financial assistance we can find to help with this.  We are pursuing every avenue available to find a quality facility to provide the needed therapy and the funds to pay for such.  The challenges are many.  Without the therapy, Sarah will not progress to her potential.   

Although tragic in nature, Sarah’s story is wondrous and miraculous.  We are so proud of our daughter.