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McKinney teenager going to Russia for stem-cell treatment
Tonya Winchester, with parents Gerry and Nelda, will travel to Russia for her first round of stem-cell treatment. This photo and more are available through MyCapture at www.scntx.com. Photo: Stefanie White | McKinney Courier-Gazette
BY STEFANIE WHITE, McKinney Courier-Gazette
It was almost two years ago that Tonya Winchester's life changed. Winchester had just graduated from McKinney North High School and was looking forward to college when a car accident left her paralyzed from the chest down.
“The driver of my car was intoxicated and ran a stop sign,” Winchester said. “Just at that moment, an 18-wheeler hit me on the passenger side.”
During the past year, Winchester and her family have had several fundraisers to raise money to send her overseas for stem-cell treatment. Stem-cell treatment has not been approved in the U.S.
“I don't even really know what to say,” Winchester said. “I never expected in the beginning to raise this much.”
The Winchesters heard about the clinic from a family in Rowlett which also went to that clinic for stem-cell treatment.
While at the NeuroVita Clinic, stem cells from Winchester's own blood will be injected into her spinal cord.
Winchester said the treatment is a two-year process and she would be required to come back every three or four months. The first treatment is about $26,000 and treatments after that will cost about $11,000.
The family raised $26,000 on its own and has received generous donations from other people to help pay for additional trips to Moscow.
“It's just amazing,” Winchester said.
Winchester's mother and caregiver, Nelda, said the accident has changed her life as well. Nelda has continued to care for her daughter on a daily basis.
“I'm the caregiver that lasted the longest,” Nelda said.
Nelda said she had faith that they would be able to raise the funds to go overseas for stem-cell treatment but didn't think it would be as soon as a year.
“I didn't think we'd do it in a year but I knew we were going to do it,” Nelda said. “It's here before you know and I'm excited about it.”
After treatments, Nelda said she is unsure about what the results will be but said she thinks her daughter will get some feeling and movement back in her legs.
“Anything she gets back is a blessing,” Nelda said.
Winchester said she has no expectations but said she would love to be able to use her hands once again.
“I hate when my boyfriend wants to hold my hand and I can't open my hand,” Winchester said.
As for her boyfriend, Billy, Winchester credits him for helping her to keep her spirits up and for staying by her side.
“I don't think I could have done this without my boyfriend,” Winchester said. “He's really helped lift my spirits.”
Winchester said she is anxious about going to a new country where there will only be one translator but has faith that eventually she will be able to walk again.
“I have a strong belief that I will,” she said.
For more information on Tonya Winchester or how you can help out, go to her Web site at www.tonyawinchester.com.
Contact staff writer Stefanie White at swhite@acnpapers.com. To post comments online, access this story at www.scntx.com.
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