EAST LONGMEADOW – On July 16 Megan Hearne was planning on going for a swim, she wasn’t planning on sustaining life-changing injuries that would leave her paralyzed.  Hearne dove into a pool that was too shallow, and as a result, suffered traumatic damage to her spinal cord and broke her neck.

Hearne immediately went through two surgeries in less than three days – a tracheotomy and a neck fusion. Doctors believed that Hearn would never be able to walk again, but she’s showing signs that she will.

Hearne is 22 years old and she has been going to school part time at Springfield Technical Community College while simultaneously working at JB’s Ice Cream Factory and Bentleys Bistro in East Longmeadow.  

Since her accident, the medical bills have been piling up for the Hearne family.  A GoFundMe page was created on behalf of Susan Hearne, Megan’s mother, in an effort to find financial relief.  

“In order to continue improving Megan’s chances of walking again, she will need extensive care, including long term rehabilitation,” the gofundme page reads.

The page listed a goal of raising $10,000.  Just over a month after the page’s creation, $25,195 has been raised for Megan to go toward her medical expenses.    

“We’d like to thank everyone for their generosity, continuous prayers and support during this difficult time.  It has been crucial to Megan’s recovery, her positive attitude has never wavered due to such an incredible response for her to keep fighting through all struggles and obstacles,” Susan said.

An update posted on the Team Megan Facebook page on Aug.16 states, “Megan is in great spirits and working hard to walk again.  She has been able to move her shoulders slightly. ?Today she has small movements in her toes on her own!  Please keep praying, kind words and your support is working.”

While the family doesn’t have specifics on Megan’s recuperation plan, they hope that she’ll be on her way to a full recovery by the fall.  If you’d like to donate to Megan’s page, go to https://www.gofundme.com/bgk4y6-h or for updates on Megan’s progress search for Team Megan on Facebook.