Helping physically challenged children and adults achieve maximum independence.
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Steffany Lester is from Burna, KY, near Paducah. She and her husband, Shane, were out driving one day when a man ran a stop light and t-boned their car on Steffany’s side. Steffany immediately suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury and was rushed to Vanderbilt University Hospital. Upon arrival, while the docs and nurses were trying to release the pressure on her brain, her husband Shane informed them that Steffany was 20 weeks pregnant. That turned the tables 180 degrees.
Once Steffany was stabilized the doctors had to speak with her family on making a decision about the future of this unborn child. Each doctor had their own opinion about what Steffany’s husband and her family should do because she was in a coma and unable to make decision for herself. After an eternity of thinking and praying Shane, his family and Steffany’s family decided to not terminate the pregnancy because they knew that is what Steffany would have wanted.
After 6 weeks at Vanderbilt, it was now time to think about where to go for rehab. The hospital had contacted some local rehab facilities but each of them denied Steffany, except for Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Hospital in Lexington. Steffany arrived at CHRH totally dependent in a minimally conscious state. She spent 20 weeks at Cardinal Hill participating in daily therapy that consisted of PT, OT, and speech therapies along with nursing and medical care. With the baby draining most of her energy, it was hard for Steffany to get the most benefit out of the therapy she was receiving. With her husband and family constantly by her side, 
she did get better one day at a time.
Steffany was discharged to a local hospital because she was going into labor and ready to deliver her new baby girl. Lexi arrived into the world with absolutely no side effects from the accident. She was a beautiful, healthy addition to the Lester family. Steffany was then readmitted into CHRH to continue her therapy. This time she stayed for 2 months - Steffany and her mom, Edna, traveled back once a week to participate in an outpatient therapy no other facility in the state/region offers, called the Lokomat. It is a type of therapy that assists individuals who have suffered neurological damages/disorders in the walking process.
Today Steffany is getting better and enjoying being a mother. Lexi is a typical 11 month old, all over the place and bringing joy to all who meet her. These 2 women are truly remarkable.
Contact Information
Easter Seals Kentucky
2050 Versailles Road
Lexington, KY 40504
Phone: 800.888.5377
Fax: 859.367.7155
Website: www.cardinalhill.org
Trish Hatler
Email: pjh1@cardinalhill.org
Samantha Rogers
Email: sjr1@cardinalhill.org
