Family members say Rhode Island woman found paralyzed from the neck down

A local woman is receiving community support at a time when she needs it the most.

According to a GoFundMe fundraiser, while at a work conference in Las Vegas, 56-year-old Kathleen DeLeiter, of Smithfield sustained a life-threatening injury.

DeLeiter was found unresponsive outside of her hotel and was rushed to the nearest hospital, unable to breathe on her own. There, doctors learned that she could no longer move her extremities due to suffering severe injuries to her spinal cord.

Family members say it is currently unclear what caused DeLeiter’s injuries.

After two intense surgeries, Katie is in recovery in an ICU in Las Vegas but is still experiencing total paralysis from her neck down.

Community members have raised over $50,000 through the fundraiser to transfer DeLeiter from Las Vegas to Chicago to her rehab hospital along with other costs associated with her care.

Friends described DeLeiter as one of the nicest people you could meet, a generous and caring person, ready to lend a hand to anyone in need.

Now the community is stepping up to return the favor.