Heartbreaking. Sexual Assault, No insurance, crippled victim.

[Savannahmann]

I read about this story and it is the very description of heartbreaking, or should be in the Dictionary.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2534029/Woman-26-survives-attack-offering-drive-stranger-hospital-Woman-26-survives-attack-offering-drive-stranger-hospital-never-able-walk-againnever-able-walk-again.html

Katie Schlinger was doing a Good Samaritan thing. Giving a stranger a ride to the hospital, when everything that could go wrong, did. The stranger was a rapist, armed, and intended to force himself upon this good hearted woman.

A 26-year-old Florida woman may never walk again after her kind gesture to offer a stranger a ride to the hospital turned into a nightmare attack that has ruined her life.


Tallahassee-resident Katie Schlinger told her traumatic story to MailOnline, revealing details about the night she offered to drive a stranger to the hospital before 'he physically and sexually attacked her'.


Ms Schlinger says she fought back and escaped with her life, but two spinal surgeries later, she still can't use her right arm or walk on her own. And since she's uninsured, she already owes one hospital $250,000 and is about to be kicked out of a third.

I've already donated a small amount, insignificant considering the enormous costs that she is incurring. As the old saying goes, if wishes were fishes, I could feed the world.

I wanted to tell you about this woman, and her determination to fight back. I wanted to tell you about the life she sees in the future, one in which she wonders if she will ever walk again, or move her right arm, or care for herself.

I am reasonably skilled with words, more so than some, certainly not as skilled as many others. But I possess no words to describe the situation, or how my heart goes out to this woman.

I mentioned that I donated above, the link I found in the news story is here. http://www.gofundme.com/katierocks

I wish I knew what to say, but again, if wishes were fishes....

[shenmue]

1. So awful

[HappyMe]

2. That's horrible.

I have to be honest though - I wouldn't give any man or woman I don't know a ride.

[Mass]

3. I wonder why I cannot find this story on any reputable paper or TV

particularly American ones.

It seems to me this is a story our media would love.

But still very sad.

[magical thyme]

4. I found articles from local papers. had to google the attackers name...

http://www.wjbf.com/story/24274508/aiken-man-arrested-facing-kidnapping-and-other-charges

http://www.gadailynews.com/news/augusta/199800-aiken-police-charge-man-with-sexual-assault.html

There were a couple more local media reports, all from the same date.

[Ms. Toad]

5. Here you go:

http://www.wjbf.com/story/24274508/aiken-man-arrested-facing-kidnapping-and-other-charges
http://www.gadailynews.com/news/augusta/199800-aiken-police-charge-man-with-sexual-assault.html

(Remember, generally reputable news sources don't include the survivor's names - so search for the perpetrator's name)

[Mass]

6. Yes, a rape happened and that is bad enough.

However, there is still a lot of discrepancy between the two stories concerning the extent of the injuries.

Considering the victim is trying to get money for her medical injuries and that clearly she is ready to give her name and a photo of herself, I am still wondering why she did that in a rag sheet in England rather than on the Today Show (or Fox).

It does not mean that the rapist should not be punished (he should), but frankly, this story is weird.

[rosecore]

8. :(

I grew up with her, and my dad was married to her mom for a few years. We all still consider each other sisters. This is what happened. It is scary. It has been a complete nightmare. Suzee (Katie's older sister) has appealed to many news sites with this story, but only some have done anything with it.

[mecherosegarden]

7. I wonder if she applied to the Survivor's Victim of Crime Program

It could help with some of those expenses.

[Savannahmann]

10. Most Hospials have social workers

They help patients navigate the various programs and benefits. I hope she is applying for everything she can.

[redqueen]

9. K&R nt