"September 20, 2009

On the way home from a family visit, it was raining, and that was the last thing either of us remember. I was awakened by a policeman asking my phone number. I heard Shelbi moaning and saw her laying between the front seats into the back. I later found out that somehow I got off the road and overcorrected, causing the car to spin, then it landed against the only tree in a field. I had internal injuries. Shelbi, however, was much worse.  Her diagnosis was Traumatic Brain Injury.  
 
At first they said she would not make it, and if she did, that she would be in a vegetative state. They asked which nursing home we wanted to put our 12 year old daughter in. Since her head had hit the tree, then my head, her brain bounced causing global brain damage, with hydrocephalus (brain swelling). She had a broken neck (C-2 fracture), her hips were shattered, and her jaw was broken  (the top dislodged from the bottom). She could not regulate her temperature or blood pressure.  She had a neck brace for about 6 months, a trach for 2 years,  g-tube for 2 years, part of her skull had to be taken out and wasn’t replaced for almost 2 years, and she got an infection from an air pocket and had to be taken out again.  She lost most of her education; she could do some math and quickly remembered sign language, though she could not speak at first. She now talks fine and has relearned more than we ever thought possible. She has no use of her right arm, has all feeling but minimal use of her legs. She can lift them but is in a wheelchair. She continues PT/OT at Cardinal Hill Rehab Hospital.
 
It has been 8 years (since that horrible day). She has had 13 surgeries and more set backs than I can remember.  She went back to school, was chosen homecoming queen, and graduated with an alternative diploma. Shelbi is an artist. She spends her time drawing, painting, and coming up with new ideas to make amazing art projects. She is kind, lovable, and does not dwell on what she cannot do. Instead she keeps surprising us with what she can accomplish. We both survived a horrible tragedy and seeing her smile everyday makes our lives worth living."

The Kendyl and Friends Foundation would like to graciously thank Shelbi H's family for sharing their daughter's and family's story with us to share. 

The Kendyl and Friends Foundation would like to thank Bojangles' for supporting our mission! On Monday, October 23rd at the following locations, they'll be donating 10% of all sales to our foundation, towards fundraising for future Kendyl and Friends Playgrounds from 5-8 PM. Hurry there!

​Bojangles' Lawrenceburg
1028 Hwy 127 North Bypass

Bojangles' Frankfort
1239 Hwy 127 South

Bojangles' Winchester
100 Hospital Drive

Bojangles' Mount Sterling
480 Indian Mound Drive

Bojangles' Georgetown
1155 Lexington Road

Bojangles' Versailles
263 Kroger Way

The Kendyl and Friends Foundation wanted to remind everyone that October is Spina Bifida Awareness Month, which is a time to celebrate the hundreds of thousands of people living with SB and raise awareness as to what it is. This picture represents a challenge called "Care about Spina Bifida Care," which challenges us to get involved in improving the health and lives of our families, friends, neighbors and even strangers who are affected by Spina Bifida. For more information, visit the official 2017 Awareness Month website at careaboutsbcare.com. 

Remember, one way to show your support for SB is to come out to the SBAK Walk-N-Roll on October 14th in Lexington, KY. Scroll down to a previous post regarding the event for more information! 

The Kendyl and Friends Foundation wants to graciously thank Miss Wheelchair USA, Ashlee Lundvall, for showing her support for us and our cause! Please find her letter below: