A crowdfunding campaign has been launched by Elisabeth Foley, a Virginia woman who lost her hand in a shark attack in Florida, after her insurance denied coverage for a prosthetic. Foley, 45, from Ashland, was critically injured in the June 7th attack.
Describing the terrifying moment, Foley said, “All of a sudden I looked behind me and saw this thing that looked like a torpedo.” She tried to kick at the shark, but it attacked her lower leg, as reported by the Independent.
Remembering advice about punching a shark to ward it off, Foley fought back, but the shark pulled her underwater. When she resurfaced, she realized her hand was missing.
After spending 60 days in the hospital and undergoing multiple surgeries, Foley still needs further medical care. Doctors recommend a myoelectric prosthetic hand to improve her functionality and perform specialized tasks.
Despite being set to receive the prosthetic, Foley’s insurance company refused to cover the costs, deeming it unnecessary. Determined to regain her independence, Foley launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise $73,000 for the prosthetic, reaching 81% of the goal with over $59,260 raised.
Her medical team emphasized the importance of the prosthetic for Foley’s future mobility and quality of life. Without it, she may face limited skills and reduced mobility.
