OKLAHOMA CITY -- An Oklahoma-based company is going above and beyond to help an employee from another country. The young woman's life was drastically changed last fall when a medical emergency left her paralyzed and unable to live the life she once knew. When doctors in her home country of Mexico saw her condition deteriorating, her bosses here took action, arranging a flight, an apartment and medical care.
Perla Sandoval suffered a brain aneurysm last fall.
She was at the gym running on a treadmill when she suddenly got a headache and knew something was wrong.
Moments later, Perla collapsed; she survived but remains on the road to recovery.
The young woman who once enjoyed running and who is fluent in numerous languages now finds herself re-learning how to do simple tasks.
Doctors in Mexico performed two procedures on her brain, but she was left paralyzed along her right side.
Perla is an employee for the Oklahoma-based company Kimray.
She had visited Oklahoma City in the past and even ran in the Oklahoma City National Memorial Marathon.
Kimray CEO David Hill says when he heard Perla's story, he knew the company needed to help.
Hill says, "Kimray's like a family. I know everyone says that, it's like a cliche, but it really is a family."
Kimray employees started Project Perla, a Web site raising money to bring Perla to Oklahoma for medical treatment.
Perla arrived in Oklahoma City a few weeks ago and has been meeting with local doctors who are donating some of their services.
Although, not all of it is free.
She is going to need a lot of physical therapy and unfortunately, her insurance doesn't cover procedures performed in the United States.
Perla is already making great strides.
She is starting to type e-mails and stand on her own.
Right now her biggest challenge is keeping her balance.
Perla Sandoval suffered a brain aneurysm last fall.
She was at the gym running on a treadmill when she suddenly got a headache and knew something was wrong.
Moments later, Perla collapsed; she survived but remains on the road to recovery.
The young woman who once enjoyed running and who is fluent in numerous languages now finds herself re-learning how to do simple tasks.
Doctors in Mexico performed two procedures on her brain, but she was left paralyzed along her right side.
Perla is an employee for the Oklahoma-based company Kimray.
She had visited Oklahoma City in the past and even ran in the Oklahoma City National Memorial Marathon.
Kimray CEO David Hill says when he heard Perla's story, he knew the company needed to help.
Hill says, "Kimray's like a family. I know everyone says that, it's like a cliche, but it really is a family."
Kimray employees started Project Perla, a Web site raising money to bring Perla to Oklahoma for medical treatment.
Perla arrived in Oklahoma City a few weeks ago and has been meeting with local doctors who are donating some of their services.
Although, not all of it is free.
She is going to need a lot of physical therapy and unfortunately, her insurance doesn't cover procedures performed in the United States.
Perla is already making great strides.
She is starting to type e-mails and stand on her own.
Right now her biggest challenge is keeping her balance.
