Sarah Gerrish

Sarah is a devoted wife, mom, and the center of the universe to 3 young kids (6, 10, and 12 years old). She’s an avid runner, committed volunteer/philanthropist, and friend to all. In March 2021, their lives were turned upside down as the result of a catastrophic injury. In a moment, Sarah lost her independence.

Family and friends of Sarah Gerrish are raising money for the nonprofit Help Hope Live to fund uninsured medical expenses associated with Catastrophic Injury.

On March 28th, Sarah went to the garage to get something from her car and accidentally fell down the stairs. She broke the C5 vertebrae in her neck and sustained a significant spinal cord injury that left her paralyzed below her shoulders. She had surgery the next morning to replace her vertebrae with a graft and fuse it to the upper and lower vertebrae. Following a successful surgery, Sarah regained sensation in her fingers and toes, but was unable to move them on her own. After 15 days in the ICU, she moved to Courage Kenny in Minneapolis on April 13th for acute, inpatient therapy with a focus on regaining movement and strength, and to learn to adapt to what is working. She has made great strides since arriving at Courage Kenny and will stay there well into the summer.

These first months are critical in her recovery, but this journey of healing and rehabilitation will be measured in months and years, not in days and weeks, as she works to regain her independence and hold on to the gains she makes. She is fighting to once again walk, work, hug her friends and family, and get back to helping others.

Sarah’s injuries will require significant modifications to ensure their home is functional and safe, and she will need ongoing medical treatment, supplies and equipment, inpatient and outpatient therapy, and home medical care; all costs that will not be covered by medical insurance. While Sarah is focused on healing and recovery to regain strength, and mobility through intense physical and occupational therapy, Paul is balancing working at his new job, caring for their children, and modifying their home to get it ready for Sarah’s return this summer.

Sarah’s survival and early progress reflect her strength, resolve, perseverance, and drive to get back the life she loves. She will fight for every inch her body can manage and she’ll will herself further. We hope you’ll join Sarah and the Gerrish family as they get up, stand up, and move forward.

We have chosen to fundraise for Help Hope Live in part because they assure fiscal accountability of funds raised. You can be confident your donation will be used to pay or reimburse Sarah’s direct medical and care-related expenses. To make a tax-deductible donation in support of Sarah’s care (by credit or debit card) click on the Give button. If you prefer to donate by check, instructions are on the left side of the page under Mail a Check.

For more information, please contact Help Hope Live at 800.642.8399.

Thank you for your support!