Beloved Morris Co. 3rd Grader Suffers Rare 'Spinal Cord Stroke'

LONG HILL, NJ — Leah Hansen is known in the local softball community as more than just a great softball player; she's strong, determined and tenacious, coach Jaime Falvey says. Now, she'll have to use those traits to get through an off-the-field struggle: Leah suffered a spinal cord stroke earlier this month and is fighting to regain full movement in her limbs.

In early March, Leah suddenly became paralyzed and needed to be placed on a ventilator, Falvey wrote in a GoFundMe description set up for the girl. After a battery of tests, she was given the rare diagnosis of a pediatric spinal cord stroke. Since then she has been taken off of the ventilator and regained some movement, but she still faces a long recovery at a pediatric rehab center.

Spinal cord strokes are rare, with just over 1 percent of all strokes originating in that location. Pediatric patients suffering any kind of stroke is also an oddity, making Leah's diagnosis exceptionally rare.

"After a lot of testing, they have decided they believe Leah may be one of the rare few pediatric patients who has suffered a spinal stroke. Leah continues to improve everyday and she is fighting harder then she ever has before to regain movement in her limbs and breathe on her own," Falvey said.

The softball community is rallying around the Hansen family: Two local high schools will play a benefit scrimmage this week, T-shirts are being printed with Leah's name and numbers on them, and over $13,000 has been raised so far in a GoFundMe. The Hansen family is deeply involved in softball and baseball in Long Hill, where 9-year-old Leah plays for the Twisters.

"Leah has played softball all her school years pretty much all year round becoming one of the softball superstars of her town program," Falvey wrote in the fundraiser description. "Her father, Peter Hansen, has coached throughout Leah's softball career, not only helping her, but many other kids in the program. He volunteers his time and loves every minute of it! Both Peter and Leah have been a dynamic duo, who anyone in town will tell you, light up the softball field. Truly inspiring to watch."

Fellow Long Hill resident Tim Simo, who coaches recreationally in the town and as the varsity coach for Summit High School, helped organized the benefit scrimmage between Summit and Watchung Hills. It's scheduled for March 28 at 3:30 p.m. at Diamond Nation (129 River Road in Flemington). Proceeds from the sale of T-shirts will benefit the Hansen family.

Coach Falvey said she looks forward to seeing Leah back on the field but knows she has a long road ahead of her.

"In light of Leah's last few days of great progress, she will likely be going to a rehab facility soon. She needs us more then ever as she will soon be having many rehabilitative needs. We need to get our little softball superstar out on that field by the end of the spring season!" Falvey wrote.

All image via GoFundMe. GoFundMe is a promotional partner of Patch.