A Georgia mom is paralyzed from the chest down after a freak accident on an inflatable waterslide throughout a Memorial Day weekend get-together.
Valerie Feske, 37, of Richmond Hill, was at a neighbor’s home Saturday together with her husband, two youngsters and two different households when she determined to affix a number of different kids who have been utilizing an inflatable waterslide, her husband advised The Publish Thursday.
“That’s a testomony to how enjoyable she is and he or she was enjoying with the opposite youngsters for a pair minutes earlier than she went down the slide,” Brent Feske, 41, stated. “She was underwater after which started to elevate herself when one other child got here down the slide and hit her within the head.”
Valerie, who remained in intensive care Thursday at Memorial Well being Medical Middle in Savannah, stated she knew immediately that one thing was significantly improper.
“I instantly couldn’t really feel my legs and I may barely use my arms,” she advised The Publish. “However I noticed my son trying down at me, after which instantly my mates and my sister have been there.”
A nurse within the neighborhood additionally got here to assist Feske, who suffered a C7 spinal twine damage within the collision, leaving her unable to really feel sensation beneath her chest. The trainer at Richmond Hill Center College has regained some operate in her arms following neck surgical procedure, her husband stated.
“This has been devastating, however day by day she’s getting just a little higher,” Brent Feske stated. “By way of her spirits, she’s doing actually good, she’s in so much much less ache and has been chatting my ear off all morning.”
Nonetheless, Valerie has a formidable street to restoration forward of her — a “lengthy recreation,” her husband stated.
“She will transfer her arms decently — she’s not doing pushups — however she will be able to apply brushing her tooth and slowly feed herself with a spoon,” he stated.
That’s an unlimited enchancment from the early prognosis docs advised the couple Saturday, saying the mom of two wouldn’t stroll once more and could be unable to make use of her arms, Feske stated.
“We’re seeing her get higher,” he stated.
The couple’s outlook modified dramatically following the surgical procedure, giving them hope that Valerie will someday stroll once more, they stated Thursday.
“You’ll be able to’t say why me, why us,” Brent Feske advised The Publish. “That is only a bump within the street. It’s an enormous bump, however I’m simply glad I’ve her and glad she’s bettering.”
As soon as she’s discharged from the hospital, Valerie will head to a rehab facility in Atlanta, she stated.
“I’m simply so overwhelmed with all of the assist from our neighborhood and Memorial Hospital,” Feske advised The Publish.
“The nurses right here have been superb. I used to be in a loopy quantity of ache on Saturday, however I’m going to get by means of this as a result of I like my household a lot. I’m going to push by means of for them.”