Caileigh Koppang Needs Our Support

Every spring my friend Kat has her annual shitty birthday ride. Like everything Kat does, it is anything but shitty. Kat is the kind of universally-cool person who has friends of all ages, and that is where I met Caileigh Koppang.

Caileigh is a 15-year-old girl who can ride a bike like someone who has been riding for as long as she’s been on this earth. It's inspiring. Caileigh was there with her friend Bellah, who she met on a chairlift while riding in New Zealand, because of course 15 and 17-year-old girls connect that easily... or, as I learned, that’s just Caileigh. Caileigh exudes excitement and energy, everything is amazing and the world is full of opportunities. They kicked our asses riding and talked about where they wanted to ride, how they were besties and would raise their babies together, and everything in between. Now, instead of planning for the future, Caileigh is fighting hard for hers, and she needs our help.

A few weeks ago, Caileigh had a terrible accident while riding her bike. As a result of the crash, she suffered spinal trauma, a severe brain injury, a dissected carotid artery, and multiple brain bleeds. Caileigh has been on a ventilator and in a coma for weeks with a type of brain injury that typically has a a low chance of survival. She is young, strong and has so much to live for, and she has been fighting her way out of it. Recently Caileigh has shown very promising signs of improvement, finally giving her family more hope. Caileigh has been getting excellent medical care, but she needs more than what the system can give her now, and her family is putting all their resources into helping her so she has the best chance for her future. The road for her recovery is long and you can help: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-caileigh-koppang-on-her-road-to-recovery

Seven years ago I had a terrible accident while mountain biking. I broke my skull, face and suffered a severe brain injury - it took me years to recover. I had a well-paying job with excellent disability leave and a community that held me together, and it was still devastating. It is financially and emotionally draining to chase down the best care in these situations, and it takes advocating for yourself, time and a lot of financial resources. These are the realities that Caileigh and her family now face. My injury was a fraction of what Caileigh is dealing with, and it took me about 3 years to reach 95% recovery and well over $20,000 in private care. I am eternally grateful for the people who helped me through that period. Community matters more than anyone knows until you really really know.

Friends of Caileigh’s family have started a fundraiser to help Caileigh get the best care she can. No parent should be faced with making choices about their child’s care because of the cost of the treatment. While Caileigh and her family have been receiving a lot of love, what they need now isn’t just thoughts and prayers or good vibes, it is financial support. Perhaps you know Caileigh, or maybe you know someone young and promising just like her? Maybe you or someone you know has had an experience like I did and understand the importance of community support? If so, please give. Please consider supporting Caileigh and her family through this difficult time.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-caileigh-koppang-on-her-road-to-recovery