A difficult road to recovery lies ahead for Caileigh Koppang.
The local mountain bike racer experienced a severe crash on Oct. 17, 2024 that left her with various brain and spinal injuries. Despite the support (financial and otherwise) of friends, family and community, Caileigh's mom Ashleigh reports that things have not gone according to plan.
"As we settle into a new routine back at home, this entire experience has been an eye-opener—highlighting the many flaws in our medical system. We made the difficult decision to leave Canada and spend our lifelong savings, and loans on a Disorders of Consciousness program in the United States—something the Canadian system does not offer. As parents, we felt we had to give Caileigh the best possible chance at recovery," Ashleigh wrote in an April 22 update on the GoFundMe established to support her daughter.
In spite of spending approximately $250,000 USD for rehab at the TIRR Memorial Hermann Neurological Sleep Medicine Center in Houston, Texas, Ashleigh describes the ordeal as "a deeply disappointing and distressing experience in many ways—something we wouldn’t wish on anyone."
Caileigh continues to experience full-body paralysis. Doctors have advised that she understands what is happening around her, but the teen remains unable to walk, talk, eat or communicate with others for the most part. Ashleigh revealed in an Instagram story, however, that Caileigh recently smiled for the first time in six-and-a-half months.
According to the GoFundMe update, the family was denied a spot in GF Strong’s Adolescent Rehab Program in Vancouver without an in-person assessment.
"Because we chose to seek out specialists and more targeted treatment, we were discharged from the Canadian system. Now, three weeks after returning, we have no medical support—no doctors, no specialists, and no coordinated care and rehab in place after being denied from the places capable of helping her," Ashleigh elaborated. "While Caileigh requires 24/7 care, she doesn’t qualify for nursing support because she’s considered 'medically stable.' Our family doctor has been incredible, doing everything they can to get referrals in motion. Some local physiotherapists have also stepped up to help us try and build a team. But to return to Canada and still find ourselves without the care and rehab we desperately need is terrifying.
"You don’t fully realize how broken the system is—until you need it the most. We are forced to find the rehab she needs privately at $200 per session daily even still...we continue to push forward, doing everything we can to build the right supports to help Caileigh reach her potential. At just 16 years old, her brain is still growing and developing. We have been told she still has an incredible window for recovery—and we refuse to give up."
Nearly $104,000 have been raised to support the Koppangs via GoFundMe. Click here to view the fundraiser.
