Support for the Smith Family

Meg is 21 years old, a bright, beautiful and gifted young woman who maintained a straight "A" average with ease. Meg was one of those students who helped her classmates to write their papers and study for their exams. She was and is passionately interested in preserving our earth's environment and loves creatures as her children. Over the years our pets have included dogs, cats, birds, lizards, fish, rabbits, an iguana and a sugar glider. Meg is creative: she has been a gifted creative writer and has designed her own original jewelry from found objects. She has many friends and is well loved by all who know her: A pretty girl who loves easily and has a giving and compassionate nature.

Here is a short outline of Meghan's situation:

• This past January 5th 2009, Meghan suffered the first in a series of strokes that have left her without her hearing and with a difficulty processing language.
• This is a condition that can result from strokes and is known as "Receptive Aphasia".
• Receptive Aphasia means that she can hear sounds but cannot process what the words mean.
• This young woman who was in the 99 percentile in language ability cannot now, at times, understand what you are "saying" to her.
• This means that one must repeat the information in different ways until she can understand the meaning you are trying to convey. Partly because Meghan did not get to the doctor in a timely manner
• She was 21 and did not have insurance; others failed to take her to the emergency room until much later. Other strokes occurred. Two major ones on Feb. 9, and again on Feb. 12. On Feb. 14 Meg was transferred by ambulance from Piedmont Medical Center to Carolinas Medical Center to their stroke unit and spent a number of days in intensive care, still having small strokes known as showering strokes.
• All in all Meghan had two major strokes, one on each side of her brain, another smaller one in the center of her brain, at least three "mini strokes" and other little strokes called showering strokes. The cause of the strokes was smoking and taking birth control pills, along with a genetic blood disorder that we had no prior knowledge of.

After her first stroke Meghan had some paralysis in her left side and seizures. These conditions have improved, although she now takes medication for seizures. After the second stroke she had some numbness in her feet, which has gotten better, although when she is tired she walks with a shuffle. After all of her strokes she lost her speech and spoke in gibberish, each time regaining speech in increments until now her speech is normal, unless she is too tired and then her words get mixed up a little. Meghan has made great gains. She takes speech, occupational and physical therapy three times a week. She is working toward getting her writing skills back. It is a little like learning language again. We are confident that Meg will continue to regain her abilities. She is a gifted and talented young woman. She has made tremendous strides. She wants very much to "get it back". With stroke victims, the first months are key in the healing process. It is important to get therapy and rest as the brain heals during sleep

What does Meghan need today?

The most urgent needs we have are for a companion for Meghan in the afternoons and evenings during the week. Tega Cay Neighbors Helping Neighbors member Victoria Thomas (704-277-6098) is working with a local Nursing Company to position a nurse with Meghan while I go to work during the day teaching Art at CMS and a few evenings during the weekdays working at FedEx. I am off during the weekends and can spend the whole time with her. Meg is a delightful person who demands little for herself. She is able to care for herself physically. Her disability is in that she has lost her hearing and lost some ability to understand. She can communicate quite well in writing, however, sometimes it is necessary to re-state things until she can understand them. It is difficult to explain. Meghan is a very bright young woman, but she has a condition known as Receptive Aphasia which is the receiving end of communication in the brain. She is very brave and does not complain. It is only occasionally that I as her mother have seen her fears and frustrations. I thank you for any and all help that you are able to offer.

Her loving Mother, Kathy Smith

To make a tax-deductible monetary donation/contribution to the Tega Cay Neighbors Helping Neighbors, you can donate in the following ways:

• Checks should be made out to: "Tega Cay Neighbors Helping Neighbors" and specify that it is for the Meghan Smith family
• Mail checks to: Tega Cay Neighbors Helping Neighbors, 2879 Hwy 160 West PMB 4648 Tega Cay SC, 29708

Your support is appreciated!

Bill Stumpf, CEO Tega Cay Neighbors Helping Neighbors

704-907-9471 billstumpf@comporium.net